The buzz is real across Port Vila and beyond: farmers polishing their displays, musicians tuning guitars, families planning their weekend. But if you’re wondering what exactly is the Fruit Festival, here’s your quick guide.

A Celebration of Vanuatu’s Harvest

The Fruit Festival is going to be Vanuatu’s annual showcase of tropical abundance. Picture tables piled high with sweet pineapples, juicy mangoes, fragrant bananas, and seasonal treats that highlight the nation’s rich volcanic soil and year-round sunshine. It’s both a farmers’ market and a cultural carnival.

More Than Just a Market

This festival blends agriculture, culture, and entertainment:

• Farm-to-Table Stalls – Local growers sell their best fruits and fruit-based creations like juices, jams, and dried snacks.
• Cooking & Tasting – Chefs share creative recipes while visitors sample the flavors of the islands.
• Music & Dance – Live performances by local and regional artists turn the event into a vibrant island-style party.
• Education & Agri-Tourism – Workshops on sustainable farming, nutrition, and supporting local agriculture round out the experience.

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From Farm to Market: How Vanuatu’s Policies Support the Fruit Sector

Vanuatu’s lush islands produce everything from sweet mangoes to juicy pineapples, and the nation’s policymakers have created a strong framework to protect and grow this vibrant fruit industry. Whether you’re a local farmer, an exporter, or just a fruit lover, here’s how Vanuatu’s laws and strategies keep the sector thriving.

National Strategies for Growth

Vanuatu National Fruits and Vegetables Strategy 2017-2027
This 10-year roadmap focuses on boosting fruit and vegetable production, improving post-harvest handling, and strengthening market links. It encourages local processing and value-adding so more Vanuatu-grown fruit reaches both domestic and export markets.
➡️ Read the strategy (PDF)

Agriculture Sector Policy 2015-2030
Broader in scope, this policy targets import substitution and higher productivity. It promotes fruits as key cash crops while improving farmer training and access to resilient seedlings.
➡️ Full policy document

Biosecurity and Quarantine

Protecting Vanuatu’s biodiversity is critical.

• Plant Protection / Quarantine Act safeguards the islands from invasive pests and diseases. Anyone importing fruits or seeds needs a permit and must meet strict inspection standards.
• Draft Biosecurity Bill will further strengthen these controls, ensuring safe trade and healthy orchards.
  ➡️ Plant Protection Act | Biosecurity info

Food Safety and Nutrition

The Food Safety, Security & Nutrition Policy 2022-2030 integrates fruit production into national health goals. It supports safe handling, better distribution, and public awareness of fruit’s role in balanced diets.
➡️ Policy PDF

Why It Matters

These policies ensure Vanuatu’s fruit sector remains resilient in the face of climate change, keeps local diets nutritious, and creates export opportunities. From the farm to the market, every mango, pawpaw, and orange benefits from this national commitment.

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