Vuda Pig has reported an increase of 500 per cent in local pork consumption despite losing 60 per cent of its market when COVID-19 shut down the country’s tourism industry.
In a statement owner of Vuda Pig, Simon Cole said the impressive growth was attributed to the introduction of the company’s Pork Shops.
“We needed to move pork, we are the largest piggery in Fiji, and with 60 per cent of our market suddenly disappearing, and we desperately needed new outlets and new customers,” he said.
“These shops have gone far in replacing the financial losses we suffered because of losing the tourism industry.
“It has been a challenge and it has been fun.”
Mr Cole said he had no idea there was a significant market for those who only wanted to buy one product from one location – pork.
He added that part of the focus was on providing easy access to pork for more customers and simplicity in presentation while ensuring top quality.
“We have used Facebook extensively to promote the shops as well as our own web page.
“But our real strength is in word-of-mouth. Our customers have shown that they want the simplicity of purchasing only one product without the complication of shopping in a supermarket.
“To enhance the shopping experience the Pork Shops also offer a variety of free recipes and cooking tips that ‘explore the range of tastes that pork offers’.”
He also said the success of the Pork Shops was good news for the pig farmers.
“By increasing the local consumption of pork by 500 per cent there are more customers buying pork than ever before.
“There is a growing market for all of us; we just have to find ways to reach this market to reach it. Pork Shops are our way.”
