The Minister of Agriculture, STEC, Samoa Exports Authority, and Estates Authority recently visited the Frankie Chicken Broiler Processing Factory at STEC Mulifanua. This processing facility is part of the initiatives supported and promoted by the Samoa Export Authority, which is in the process of merging with the Samoa Trust Estates as directed by the Government in February 2023.
The visit was attended by the Steering Committee of the Samoa Export Authority, including the Chairman, Tagaloa Eddie Wilson, and members Papalii Panoa Tavita Moala. Also present were the Acting CEO of STEC, Natasha Kolose, and Afoa Kolone Vaai of KVA Consult. The Managing Director of the Frankie Group, Pitovaomaiana May Cai, welcomed the Minister and the committee, showcasing the entire chicken processing operation from live broilers to cleaning, processing, preparation, and packaging for the market. The Frankie facility can process 1000 birds per hour.
The Minister expressed gratitude to Pitovaomaiana and her staff, as well as Papalii Panoa and Afoa Kolone Vaai of KVA Consult, for their assistance in developing the project with support from the Samoa Export Steering Committee. The project aims to support the $Im Village Development Project and rural communities, encouraging them to raise local chickens and supply them to facilities like the Frankie Processing Factory, generating immediate income.
The Chairperson of the Export Authority Steering Committee, Tagaloa Eddie Wilson, is enthusiastic about the project’s goal to foster, promote, and support the development of similar processing facilities in Mulifanua and throughout Samoa. This will provide a ready market for farmers and rural communities, leading to increased exports.
Samoa currently imports around 1,000 metric tonnes of chicken per month, totaling approximately $60 million annually. The Frankie Processing project is the first of many aimed at increasing agricultural value and enhancing exports to neighboring and regional markets.
The Frankie Processing facility adheres to international food safety standards. The Export Authority aims to support the development of such facilities and help local manufacturers and exporters gain access to them. This will increase agricultural supplies, enhance capacity, and assist in obtaining international certifications (HACCP) and biosecurity compliance for export markets.
