KATA FIJI BONGO CHILLI
Producer of sauce planning to export to US, NZ, Australia
The producer of KATA Fiji Bongo Chilli Sauce, is planning to export to the United States of America, Australia and New Zealand by the end of the year. Currently, KATA Fiji Bongo Chilli Sauce is supplied to major supermarkets around Fiji as well as Vuda Marina and Cardo’s Steakhouse and Cocktail Bar at Port Denarau, Nadi.
Initially, KATA Fiji Bongo Chilli Sauce was supplied to Fiji’s hospitality sector such as resorts, restaurants and Jack’s of Fiji but with COVID-19, that market has slowed.
Produced out of Sigatoka, but that hasn’t stopped general manager Scott Wade.
Mr Wade said KATA Fiji Bongo Chilli Sauce first started in 2019 as a childhood dream to make the best sauce.
“My family moved to Fiji in 1985 and I grew up on the Coral Coast “Hakwa Nadro”. “Throughout my life in Fiji I have seen the slow decline of the sugar industry but I know that agriculture is one of the stalwarts of the Fijian economy. Unfortunately, Fiji Sugar struggles to compete with the larger sugar producers like Australia, China and Brazil.
“So my dream has always been to create a new cash crop for Fijian Farmers.
“I have been using Fiji Bongo Chillies to make a delicious sauce for my own consumption for many years.
“At the start of 2019 I decided to embark on the KATA journey of using Fiji Bongo Chillies to make the best sauce in the world,” he said.
Production
The Fijian Made product source its chillies from local Fijian farmers while the vinegar is made in Sigatoka.
The business production factory is located in Sigatoka at the Valley Fresh factory.
Mr Wade said the business was also working towards new products utilising Fiji Bongo Chillies.
“We are also working in close collaboration with the University of Otago to create a new sauce that is geared towards the New Zealand taste buds,” he said.
Creating employment
The company has three employees who work directly for Kata Fiji Bongo Chilli Sauce. However, they provide employment for a large number of people to get the product made, from the farmers, to the factory workers, delivery drivers to the designers of the labels.