Copra buyers close door amidst price drop
By ULUTAH GINA
Solomon Star, Gizo
A sharp drop in copra prices is now affecting rural farmers and copra buyers across Western Province, forcing some buyers to close their copra sheds and leaving farmers with very limited options to sell their produce.
The price of copra has dropped significantly from $6.50 to $2.95 per kilogram, greatly affecting the income of farmers who depend on copra as their main source of livelihood.
In Shortland Islands, copra is currently being bought at around $1 per kilogram.
The situation came to light several days ago when farmers from Shortland Islands travelled to Honiara with bags of copra, only to find that some buyers had already closed their operations due to the price drop.
Many farmers said they were not aware of the price changes before travelling to Honiara and had already shipped their copra when the price dropped.
A local resident from Shortland Islands, who wished to remain anonymous, said he was shocked when he heard the news upon arriving at the Honiara Ports Wharf.
“I was shocked and sad after hearing the news when I first arrived in Honiara. I loaded 20 bags of copra and was expecting to earn good money, however the price drop really affected us,” he said.
Meanwhile, a copra buyer in Maleai said they continued to buy copra from farmers at around $1 per kilogram because farmers had no other option.
“The situation is really affecting farmers already. We feel sorry for them and so we continue to buy copra even though the price has dropped,” the buyer said.
Many farmers reportedly returned home with very little or no income and were unable to cover transport costs or purchase basic household needs.
Similar concerns have also been raised by copra producers in Vella La Vella, Ranongga and Kolombangara, who say they are facing the same challenges.
The ongoing drop in copra prices continues to raise concerns about the sustainability of copra production and its impact on rural livelihoods across Western Province.
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