SOLOMONS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING CHOCOLATE: HIELE

Dried cocoa beans processed at the new laboratory in Honiara. Photo credit: SIBC.

Solomon Islands is capable of producing its own chocolate for export.

Manager for Agriculture sector within the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Gabriel Hiele told SIBC News the question of chocolate processing in the country has been raised during the one week cocoa and chocolate program in Honiara.

Mr. Hiele said the country is capable of chocolate processing, given the quality of cocoa flavours produced by our local cocoa farmers.

He says this will enable farmers to receive higher prices for their production.

“That is possible and maybe that would encourage our local farmers because they would be receiving a much higher price for their product and this depends entirely on whoever the chocolate makers from overseas being that can produce chocolate here.”