The study affirmed that Solomon Islands and Vanuatu have the realistic potential to become substantial cocoa exporters. For Solomon Islands, increasing the production of quality cocoa was identified as a high priority for improving rural livelihoods and promoting economic recovery in a post-conflict environment.
The study established production and quality targets achievable over the next five years. It acknowledged there was scope to increase export prices through improved quality as well as more efficient and competitive marketing, and an even greater opportunity to increase smallholder yields by improving management practices.
In Fiji, the study recognised potential for a substantial cocoa industry, providing some major supply constraints could be resolved. In particular there was a need for Fiji and the cocoa industries of the wider Pacific islands region to capitalise on the genetic material available at the Naduruloulou Research Station in Fiji.
The study determined that export market opportunities for Samoan cocoa lay in two streams: expanding the export of koko Samoa (the favourite Samoan beverage made from fermented cocoa beans) to Samoan communities abroad, and developing niche markets for speciality cocoa beans. The successful exploitation of these markets could represent a sizeable export industry.