Company delivers first export of mud crabs

A locally-owned seafood company has delivered its first export of live mud crabs to the Singapore sea food markets through an arrangement with the National Fisheries Authority (NFA).
The Zavath Seafoods Limited signed an agreement with the NFA early this year for a mud crab export supply chain project.
It buys from village-based crab harvesters.
Director Alphonse Wong Parpa said: “This is our first live mud crab export. We are creating a supply chain for the country and working with the NFA to make it a beneficial project.”
He said the company broke through the Asian markets when it opened its facility in Singapore last month.
“(We) established a re-export office in Singapore to store repackage and sell the products to Asian markets once they arrive from our Taurama processing facility in Port Moresby,” he said.
“This project will build the supply chain infrastructure that can benefit resource-owners.”
The company’s first export was transported to Singapore via airfreight.
“If we are successful with our first export (live mud crabs), we will look at other seafood, including lobsters, prawns and sea cucumbers, to allow local sellers to sell to the company that will be then exported overseas,” he said.