Seeking market for grapes

GOROKA grape farmers Stephanie and Bill Kofikae have been struggling to find their place in the formal market for over a decade.
“Since our first harvest in 2009, our attempts to supply local supermarkets have been rejected,” he said.
“They have turned me down because they say they have grape imports from overseas.”
He said although this was disappointing to hear, the couple did not give up.
“Our presence in the informal market though continued to grow steadily since our first seedling in our vineyard in 2006.”
The couple who married in 2003 after completing Grade 10, said they used to sell tomatoes, potatoes and oranges to sustain themselves, until they were introduced to the New Zealand black grape.
“I planted a small cutting which I got from an agriculture officer and completely forgot about it until the vine crawled up the guava tree and bore its first fruit,” he said.
Without basic training, the Kofikaes turned to internet tutorials on how to properly cultivate grapes.
Stephanie said it was a more laborious task, especially the weeding; so the couple let go of their potato and tomato plots and shifted their attention to tending to grapes.
“The first time I brought grapes down to Lae main market, it immediately attracted a huge crowd and we disrupted the traffic flow,” she said.
The couple has since been moving to Goroka and Lae to sell grapes; even sleeping overnight at Lae’s main-market until their harvest are sold out. Stephanie said farming was a family activity as it was their main source of income that went towards education needs of their seven children, health and other home needs.
“We have sacrificed much to get where we are now,” she said.
“It would be rewarding if we successfully venture into the formal sector.”