Tonga ships squash to China for the first time ^Featured

Squash remains the country's main agricultural export, with Korea and Japan the traditional markets.

The chief executive of the Agrculture Ministry, Viliami Manu said a critical factor is being able to service those markets in late November and early December when Tonga is able to command better prices.

He said efforts to secure a market in China had been underway for a year.

"Finally on this season we were planning on opening the market with 200 tonnes. But the team of inspectors pre-assessing the cargo before it leaves Tonga, only arrived late, so only one 40 foot container was left - which is about 24 tonnes."

-RNZI