A newly established white copra buying point has been opened recently in Rabaul town in East New Britain to cater for coconut farmers in the district.
Located at Palatirip along the Tunnel Hill Road of Balanataman Local Level Government (LLG), the buying point will be operated by the Coconut Resource Limited (CRL), a business arm of the Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK).
The farm gate price per kilo is K5 for Rabaul district farmers while others will be at K4 per kilo.
The subsidized price is aimed at assisting the local farmers and encourage families to venture into white copra production.
Speaking during the opening of the white copra shed on September 23rd, 2025, the District Administrator Freddy Lemeki, said that the district has outsourced the operations to CRL to manage, however will continue to provide coordination and financial support.
He added that the districts’ coconut plantation at Ramandu in North Baining of Gazelle district will also be producing white copra and selling at the new buying point.
Lemeki further urged CRL to immediately begin with the operations and encouraged farmers to start selling their white copra.
“Most of the time we launch projects or commission buildings, but we do not utilize it or sustain it, and now we must make sure that the shed is open for business.”
Meanwhile, the CRL General Manager Ephraim Tade, who was also present to officiate the opening thanked the district administration for partnering with them in such vital economic projects.
“We need to get quality white copra coming out of this shed and we encourage our farmers to meet all the required standards.”
“We ensure that the moisture content is maintained, and all other requirements are met.”
He further said that by November of this year, the district is expected to export a container and encourage farmers to continue meeting their weekly targets.
Tade also mentioned that there are also plans to tap into other products using coconut water, coconut husks and coconut shells; however, more study and trainings must be done first.
