Bean quality vital for market

Business

AGRICULTURE and Livestock Minister and Maprik MP John Simon has told the people from his district to improve the quality of vanilla.
Maprik mayor Paul Dingu requested Simon, during his visit to the district, to look for a solution to the decreasing commodity prices.
Dingu said the prices of vanilla, cocoa and coffee had dropped.
But Simon said farmers must improve the quality of vanilla.
“There is a market price of US$250 (K851) available which is more than K600 for one kilo,” he said.
“But the vanilla bean must be at least six centimetres and of good quality.”
Simon said he had already contacted buyers who wanted a supply of two tonnes a month.
He urged the “middle man” to stop buying green bean vanilla.
“This must be stopped because you will spoil the quality of the vanilla,” he said. “Leave the vanilla to ripen properly before you get it so it can be processed well.
“The middle-men are destroying this industry and destroying the people in the village who are hardworking vanilla growers.”