Samoa's export of cooked breadfruit to Australia has received a green light from the Australian Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), which Samoan exporters and families feel is good news.

DAFF modified the regulations governing the importation of cooked breadfruit from Samoa into Australia and this alteration signals a significant shift in trade dynamics between the two countries, offering new opportunities for Samoan producers and exporters. 

A local exporter Failalo Sinia who also sells cooked breadfruit alongside other cooked crops and food at the Fugalei market welcomed the new development saying it will help her business and family earn more given that they have a lot of breadfruit trees at home.

"That is such good news because we understand through our families living in Australia that our families in Australia as well as foreigners really love cooked breadfruit from our umu," she said.

"We have so many breadfruit trees at home which we can only use for consumption or sell at the market but the sales of breadfruit is not always good and mostly slow but we still sell them alongside other stuff we're selling here.

"But now that Australia allows cooked breadfruit, I am very excited and can't wait to start exporting them overseas. I export cooked and raw octopus as well as taro, I just cook and pack them and I take orders from overseas and now I will add the breadfruit to my list."

Not only exporters but families who have always prepared 'umu' for their visiting relatives from Australia excluding breadfruit because of the biosecurity in Australia, are delighted about the good news.

Eseta Fa'afua who sells umu including cooked breadfruit, taro, banana, and lu'au in front of a shop in Faatoia said she had always felt bad for her visiting relatives from Australia who never got to take their favourite Samoan foods, cooked breadfruit over to Australia because of the ban.

"But now, not only we are excited to hear the good news but our relatives overseas will surely be over the moon. My granduncle and his children overseas who are always visiting during the festive seasons and our family faalavelave, this is the only thing they crave for when they come," she said.

"I'm pretty sure this will be the only thing they will prioritise to pack when they come again is cooked breadfruit, especially my granduncle because old people love cooked breadfruit from our umu."

Meanwhile, the decision reflects a collaborative effort between Samoa and Australia to streamline trade processes while ensuring biosecurity standards are upheld. 

Travellers and stakeholders are urged to familiarise themselves with the updated requirements outlined by the Australian authorities to facilitate smooth and compliant exports. 

This development is anticipated to foster stronger economic ties between Samoa and Australia, potentially boosting Samoa's agricultural sector and enhancing bilateral relations. 

The relaxation of restrictions underscores the importance of continuous dialogue and cooperation between nations to promote trade facilitation and economic growth.

The Conditions for Export Include:
• A phytosanitary certificate is not required for cooked breadfruit for personal or non-personal use.
• Breadfruit must be fully cooked. Peeling is not required.
• Cooked breadfruit must be packed in clean, new packaging and must be free from biosecurity risk material.
• Cooked breadfruit for personal use will be subject to full inspection and limited to 20kg per passenger. Larger consignments will be inspected at an approved arrangement site.
• Cooked breadfruit for non-personal use will require documentation (Manufacturer's declaration, Commercial invoice or Packing list) with details of the cooking process the breadfruit has undergone.