Orchids grown in Samoa could become an export commodity providing employment and income to many with the help of Japan’s Akabira Orchid Corporation.

The orchid industry in Samoa is set to strengthen and expand following Akabira Orchid Corporation’s mission, supported by JICA, to conduct a series of surveys this year to explore potential opportunities within the industry.

This initiative culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with key stakeholders during the team’s visit in November 2024.

Akabira Orchid Corporation received full support from identified government agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), the Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS), and the Samoa Export Authority (SEA), as well as from the private sector, including Sunshine Farm Ltd., Women in Business Development Incorporated, FAMA, and OMONEA.

According to Akabira Orchid Corporation, Samoa has significant potential to expand its orchid industry as a new export product. The country’s tropical weather provides ideal conditions for growing Phalaenopsis orchids and other species.

The current survey, conducted with the support of JICA, aims to assess the feasibility of establishing an orchid business in Samoa utilising Akabira Orchid’s technology and expertise in tissue culture, planting, and nursery management. The goal is to produce high-quality orchids that could become a new income source for the country and its people.  

Asuao Kirifi Pouono, the local consultant facilitating connections between Akabira Orchid and local stakeholders, stated that the aim is to cultivate and propagate orchids in Samoa for export to Japan and other potential markets in the region, such as New Zealand, Australia, and American Samoa.

He described the business model as a "win-win" situation, with Akabira Orchid leveraging Samoa’s favorable weather conditions to grow orchids, while Samoa benefits from a new revenue-generating export industry.

He also emphasised that intellectual property rights for local orchid varieties would be respected, and biosecurity requirements for importing countries would be strictly adhered to.

The Akabira project team expressed satisfaction with the survey results, highlighting Samoa’s unique potential for orchid cultivation and export. With MOUs now established with both government authorities and key private-sector stakeholders, the foundation has been laid for future collaboration.  

This important partnership between Samoa and Japan strengthened through the 2024 field surveys, paves the way for a more detailed feasibility study.  

The next steps include a potential pilot project to cultivate specific orchids suited to Samoa’s climate, as well as test marketing in Japan and other overseas markets.

The project aims to deliver widespread benefits to Samoa, including stable employment and income opportunities for private farmers and women, capacity building for government authorities and technical organisations, and overall economic growth through the creation of a new export product to export to Japan and neighboring countries.