Vanilla price hike in East Sepik improves local economy

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
The current vanilla boom at Maprik in East Sepik has greatly boosted the local economy and people’s living standards, says Mayor Paul Dingu.
He said prices of vanilla on street markets were going for K800 to more than K1000 per kilogram.
Dingu said the challenge was providing security.
“We are promoting our local small to medium enterprises in town by allowing growers and buyers to trade on the streets in Maprik town without restrictions,” he said.
“Everywhere you will see buyers putting up scales and they exchange money for vanilla with growers.”
Dingu said buyers were both locals and outsiders.
“Security is not always guaranteed,” he said. “We do experience a few hold-ups and robberies within the town. These people provide their own security when doing the trading on the streets.”
Dingu said since the beginning of the vanilla boom, people were improving their living standards.
He said people were buying water tanks, solar power lighting, vehicles and building houses.
Dingu said vanilla growers were expanding into other small businesses like trade stores, catering services and others. He urged locals and outsiders to obtain trading licences from his office.
Dingu also commended the move by Government to impose restrictions on vanilla trading at the PNG-Indonesia border.
“That was a very good call,” he said.
“This will help our local vanilla to retain its quality to meet international market standards.”