Market potential for new vegetable varieties in Solomon Islands

A market study was conducted in the Solomon Islands in 2009. The objectives were to understand the current diversity of vegetables and the total volume of vegetables traded in the country, determine the potential for new vegetable varieties, and identify major varieties and traits that market vendors prefer. Quantitative data were gathered in Guadalcanal Province (Honiara central market) and Malaita Province (Auki market), from mid-November to mid- December. Results showed an annual volume of 2,631 metric tons sold in both markets valued at US$ 2.83 million, much lower than the estimated production volume of 6,506 metric tons in 2009. Although only about 20% of the vendors sold new varieties in the past, nearly 40% said that several vegetables with good market potential are currently missing in their areas. Reasons vary from production constraints (infertile soil, high incidence of insects, pests and diseases, excessive rain), lack of financial resources (high cost of production, high transportation cost, expensive seeds), no/poor access to resources (seeds, land, water), to seasonal availability (not available in the market when they want to sell it, insufficient quantities produced). The main vegetable varieties that vendors thought were better than the ones being sold and which they would be interested to try are: yardlong bean with green pods (79%), cabbage with dark green leaves (73%), and onion with white bulbs (50%).