Batiri oranges back on shelves soon

IF you are a fan of the batiri oranges or moli ni batiri which was a delicacy among fruit lovers in the past, you can expect the fruit back on the supermarket shelves soon.

Speaking during the launch of the branded Back to Street Batiri Oranges in Batiri, Macuata last week, Food Processors (Fiji) Ltd’s (FPFL) operations manager Kurpali Ben said, the company’s longterm plan was to export the oranges to their niche markets overseas.

Ms Ben said these market demands were created by Pacific Islanders and Fijians who have moved overseas.

“These are 40-year-old trees and they are senile so we are looking for assistance from Government, working with the Ministry of Agriculture to bring back the oranges to their previous sweet state,” she said.

“At the moment we are targeting our local markets and roadsides to sell these oranges to.

“Once we increase production we intend to venture into manufacturing orange juice.”

While officiating at the launch, Office of the Prime Minister permanent secretary Yogesh Karan lauded the move by the company especially in maintaining orange production.

FPFL’S chairman Raj Sharma said back in the ‘70s and ‘80s the batiri oranges were sold in the markets in a non-uniform way.

“With the launching of the Back to Street branded batiri oranges, major supermarkets will be selling properly packed and packaged batiri oranges,” he said.

“The batiri farm currently has about 10,000 batiri citrus plants bearing around 65,000 fruits per season.

“The farm also has a replanting program that will sustain production.”