SP continues to meet demands, launches cassava-based product

SOUTH Pacific Brewery prides itself as an innovative brewer to meet changing market demands in Papua New Guinea to establish a cassava factory at Erap in Wampar, Huon Gulf.
The brewer also launched their new brand of cassava-based alcohol product called “Pawa Punch”.
It is 100 per cent locally-brewed from cassava and is six per cent alcohol retailing at K3.50 for a 330ml can.
It took SP four years to plan and build Erap factory and ensure it was a fully commercialised agricultural operation that would boost Morobe’s agriculture.
SP managing director Stan Joyce said his company was supportive of the state’s goals on rural activation and import replacement (RAIR) by providing a marketing avenue for cassava crops at the Erap factory to enable income opportunities for the Wampar of Huon Gulf, Morobe.
Joyce said the factory would provide a supplemental source of income to support local families as they tap into another agricultural crop cassava to produce starch for the production of Pawa Punch alcohol.
“The inception of a cassava factory means SPB no longer needs to import ‘malt’ for its beers, instead locally grown cassava will replace imported ingredients in the alcohol production chain,” Joyce said.
“This is a significant milestone for SPB because money spent on imports will be retained in country and invested in local farmers while creating employment.”
Joyce said starch from cassava could also be used for manufacturing flour for baking and stock feed because as a drought resistant root crop, cassava was able to yield a crop even during adverse climatic conditions.
Joyce commended the Australian government for their support including Dr Keith Galgal, whose scientific research on cassava had led to the establishment of the factory.
Australian High Commission first secretary Simon Dawkins said the support was given through International Financial Corporation (IFC) providing US$1.1 million (K2.5m) for the project.