LF & Sons Enterprises launched its new Rural Trade Storage facility in Gwanasu’u Village, Malaita, on 30 September, marking a significant step in strengthening cocoa production, market access, and livelihoods across Malaita.
LF & Sons, established in 1997, sources cocoa beans from a wide network of local farmers, providing critical market access where high transport and logistics costs can otherwise limit opportunities. The new facility will allow the company to increase the frequency of collection trips from one to three days per week, stabilising prices and supporting farmers to grow and sell more cocoa.
Australia was proud to support LF & Sons, Malaita’s largest cocoa buyer, with the establishment of the new facility. This will expand the local business’s storage capacity and improve the efficiency of its supply chain, particularly for farmers in remote areas such as Northeast and Fouia.
Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, welcomed the new facility.
“The new facility will mean more remote communities and cocoa farmers can sell their cocoa beans,” High Commissioner Hilton said. “This partnership will increase household incomes for cocoa farmers, create local jobs, and increase the country’s cocoa exports.”
Managing Director Levi Filualea said the launch was a major milestone for both LF & Sons and Malaita’s cocoa farmers.
“This facility will enable us to bring more remote communities into our network, provide consistent market access, and support farmers with better storage and handling of their cocoa,” Mr Filualea said. “It is an important step in building a sustainable and thriving cocoa sector in Malaita.”
The partnership also includes technical support and training in sustainable farming and farm management techniques, ensuring that local farmers benefit from improved productivity and increased confidence to invest in cocoa.
Source: Australian High Commission, Solomon Islands