Banaban VCO is aiming to increase its virgin coconut oil production as well as expand its market.

The Banaban VCO factory, which is run and managed by the Women’s Association on Rabi Island, produces and sells pure VCO and its by-products.

Since its establishment in July 2014, the Banaban VCO factory has been producing around 300 liters of virgin coconut oil a month – sometimes less.

With no secure market, the women have been making money off roadside sales.

Women’s Association Executive Terikano Takesau says with a factory expansion and upgrade, they aim to increase their production by the end of the year.

“We work on a target of a monthly production of 4,000 kg of coconuts and that will give us about 500 liters of virgin coconut oil. That 500 liters of virgin coconut oil, times it by $20 a liter that will give us $10,000 a month.”

The women recently ventured into producing VCO by-products to increase their income and this has helped secure some long term buyers.

The factory has an outlet in Savusavu, and will soon be establishing other outlets in Labasa, Suva and the Western Division.