FOCUS ON: Solomon Islandsff

In 2006 Solomon Islands exported to the EU 3702 M/T of tuna products which was 13% less than in the previous year. This was rather disappointing since expectations were that output would rise considerably after recent re-organizations and the tie-up with a new marketing partner.

The country delivered only two tuna items on the European market: frozen pre-cooked tuna loins and canned tuna. 1851 M/T of loins were exported which was 15% down. Almost the entire supply last year went to Italian canneries, just like the year before.  In 2006 Solomon had only a 2% share of frozen pre-cooked tuna loins market in the EU.   

Canned tuna in oil was the second delivered product by Solomon Islands on the EU market in 2006. The country provided 1851 M/T or 208444 crts of 48 x 185 g, also a 16% reduction from the previous period.

Solomon Islands is among Pacific Nations the 2nd most important exporter to the European market after Papua NG (28035 M/T) but before Fiji (745 M/T).

Solomon Islands delivered a meager 107 M/T of frozen skipjack to the USA from Jan to July 2007. If we look at the last three years we can see that the country had a disruption in shipments to the USA, in 2005 and 2006, when no products were supplied. In 2004 Solomon Islands exported only 4 M/T of fresh Albacore and 3.5 M/T of fresh Yellowfin to the US.

In 2006 the nation reported tuna catches of about 101000 M/T.  Of this tonnage, the biggest amount was caught by purse seiners; 90000 M/T.  Pole and line fisheries got more than 10000 M/T and longline provided 6000 M/T of tuna.

Mr. Phil Roberts, director of operations of Tri Marine Int’l, in his presentation about Solomon Industry at Pacific Tuna Conference in September 2007, pointed out the important features of Solomon Islands. The country has one of the oldest established tuna industries in the Pacific region with a challenging investment climate and a government which is keen to develop the tuna industry. Also it is one of the better endowed states in the region. Moreover in spite of political changes, the country has been remarkably stable.

The most important economic part of the country is Western Province, which generates most of the income in the Islands. In this province, in the city of Noro, is where the Soltai tuna cannery is located -one of the South Pacific largest manufactures of preserved tuna products, and the workplace for lots of inhabitants.



Soltai is for 51% owned by the national Solomon government and for 49% by the Western Province. This operation was formerly known as Solomon Taiyo - but closed in 2001. In 2003 it was re-opened as Soltai Ltd and it resumed fishing and processing.  Currently the entire output of pre-cooked tuna loins and canned tuna comes from the Soltai plant. Tri-marine international is the marketing partner of Soltai, PNG.