FIJIAN company Tavulomo Coconut Processing Ltd was the only Pacific island company that offered coconut jerky alongside its well-established virgin coconut oil (VCO) and coconut soap and it grabbed some attention at the Auckland Food Show in July.
A report by the Pacific Periscope said while visitors to the company’s booth were curious about the product, the coconut jerky made the New Zealand Herald’s “Top five weird and wonderful food offerings” in a food show feature.
And former New Zealand minister of foreign Affairs and trade, Murray McCully, even visited the stand and was photographed with a pack of the coconut jerky.
Company directors Chris Wyllie and Rusila Vere showcased coconut jerky and their coconut oil products during their first hit out at the Auckland Food Show and received a good response to their products.
Mr Wyllie said Tavulomo’s virgin coconut oil (VCO) also had a good response from the people who came by and tried it, much like the responses they’ve have had at other shows or markets.
“I like it when I invite people to come and try and they say they already have some at home and after tasting they ask why does Tavulomo VCO taste so much nicer than the one they currently have; so I explain the process of how we make our VCO,” he said. Since the show, the company had supplied VCO and coconut jerky to a vegetable retailer and they have made a contact who is interested in introducing the products in the Middle East.
Mr Wyllie said while the food show was not the place to find big buyers it was more about showing the products that could be in shops or bought online.
“We were pretty happy with the outcome and further results can build from this media coverage with buyers coming to us later.”
