The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries launched a new agricultural packhouse facility at Atele, valued at $4.42 million, along with new livestock machinery, including a mobile slaughter unit and two stock trucks.

The packhouse, funded 75 per cent by the World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and 25 per cent by the government, has been "purpose-built" to support frozen agricultural products, a growing part of Samoa’s export market.

Prime Minister Lauaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt said the investment reflects the government’s strategy to strengthen exports through modern infrastructure that meets international standards. He said separating fresh and frozen product operations would improve quality control and regulatory compliance.

“Fresh and frozen product operations require distinct standards and handling processes,” he said. 

The launch also included the two livestock stock trucks and a mobile slaughter unit, procured under the same Samoa Agriculture and Fisheries Productivity and Marketing (SAFPROM) project, for $2.2 million. The equipment is intended to support the livestock sub-sector on Upolu and Savai‘i.

The mobile slaughter unit and vehicles are to help ensure meat production and processing meet national quality and safety standards under the Samoa Slaughter and Meat Supply Acts of 2015, while improving service coverage for farmers.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) said the combined investments are for Samoa’s capacity to expand exports, reduce waste and support rural livelihoods. The government has also established the Samoa Export Authority to develop standards and identify new market opportunities, while the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa continues to support processing.

The prime minister acknowledged farmers as central to the sector’s growth and encouraged exporters to make full use of the new facilities and machinery.