Expeller launch

New machine to allow availability of healthy cooking oil options

THE launch of the new steel food grade expeller for Copra Millers Fiji Ltd in Savusavu will soon see the availability of healthy cooking oil options for Fijians.

Speaking during the launch of the machine on Friday, the company’s operations manager John Deo said after being exposed to fluctuating world prices of copra oil, the procurement of the $250,000 machine was a mitigating factor for locally-produced cooking oil. Mr Deo said the mill intended to sell its locally-produced cooking oil.

“We can also use the same product to produce hair care products and skin moisturiser,” he said.

“As we go along we have to aggressively market this product and one of its greatest benefits is that it is organic and lauric acid which treats various ailments.

“We need to entice our buyers to change their mindsets and settle for healthier options if they want to live for long. Our neighbouring countries are switching to these forms of organic food options in efforts to better their health and lifestyles and why can’t we do the same in Fiji,” he said.

Mr Deo said Fiji presently imported 17,000 tonnes of cooking oil such as canola oil, soyabean oil and others which cost the country about $20 million.

“If we enter into the market we should be able to reduce import bills by $1 million as we reduce the import proportion by 1000 tonnes.”

Meanwhile, the machine was launched by the permanent secretary for the Office of the Prime Minister Yogesh Karan.