The Solomon Islands government has repealed the Coconut and Coconut Product Management Fees Regulations 2026 with immediate effect, saying the move is aimed at protecting farmers, supporting exporters and encouraging growth in the country’s coconut industry.
The repeal was approved by Acting Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration Manasseh Damukana Sogavare following recommendations from the Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA).
The government said the decision was intended to shield coconut farmers from possible price reductions while helping exporters remain competitive in international markets.
Officials said the now-repealed regulation risked increasing financial pressure on exporters, which could have flowed through to farmers and other participants in the coconut value chain.
The government described the repeal as part of its commitment to responsive policymaking aligned with market conditions, stakeholder feedback and national economic priorities.
Authorities said the focus would now shift toward strengthening value-added production and downstream processing in the coconut and cocoa sectors as part of broader efforts to industrialise agricultural exports.
The coconut industry remains a major pillar of the Solomon Islands economy and is estimated to support around 40,000 rural households nationwide. Exports of copra and coconut oil generate between SBD300 million and SBD400 million annually, equivalent to about USD35 million to USD46 million.
Industry data show the country produces an estimated 370 million coconuts annually, with most production coming from smallholder farmers. Copra remains the dominant export product, although virgin coconut oil and other coconut byproducts are also contributing to economic activity.
The sector, however, faces mounting challenges, including aging coconut plantations, pest infestations and infrastructure constraints. More than 60 percent of coconut trees in the Solomon Islands are considered senile, affecting productivity and long-term sustainability.
The coconut rhinoceros beetle has also emerged as a significant threat to plantations, raising concerns over the resilience of one of the country’s key agricultural industries.
Government agencies and development partners are pursuing rehabilitation efforts through replanting programs and the distribution of improved planting materials, while initiatives such as Strongim Bisnis are promoting higher-value coconut products to support diversification and strengthen the industry’s sustainability.
