VALUE CHAINS
INFORMATION review
Staple Food Commodities
Hawai'i Island
Staple food commodities are defined as those essential agricultural products required to sustain the island’s population. The primary purpose of focusing on these commodities is to enable HIAP's members to better understand Hawaiʻi Island's food value chains, the market ecosystem that enables these value chains to function efficiently, and the economic capacity to improve the island's food security. By strategically removing systemic constraints, this analysis aims to promote more inclusive, market-driven growth.
Staple food commodities are categorized in ways that make it as easy as possible to track reported agricultural and economic data, dividing various agricultural products into three primary groups: Fruits, Vegetables & Melons, and Livestock & Dairy. It is important to note that some products in the vegetables category are technically fruits but are included with vegetables due to common usage or processing needs.
Fruits
The fruit sector on Hawaii Island is crucial for the local agricultural economy but faces significant challenges such as logistical difficulties and supply-demand misalignment which lead to periods of surplus and shortages. Opportunities for growth include the development of value-added products such as fruit powders and essences, which can extend the market reach and improve shelf stability of the products. Investing in cold chain infrastructure and localized processing facilities could significantly reduce losses and enhance the sector's competitiveness. Collaborative efforts and public-private partnerships are essential to address these systemic constraints and leverage opportunities for sustainable growth.
Vegetables & Melons
Vegetable and melon production benefits from Hawaii's diverse microclimates, which allow for a wide variety of products. However, the perishable nature of these products demands rapid and efficient distribution systems to maintain freshness. There is untapped potential in processing which could include creating vegetable powders or packaged fresh-cut products for local and tourist markets. Enhancing infrastructure, such as developing local processing centers and improving transportation routes, would help stabilize supply chains and reduce wastage, making these products more competitive and accessible.
Livestock & Dairy
Livestock and dairy production on Hawaii Island is notably affected by the high costs associated with importing feed, alongside challenges in processing capacity which limits market expansion. Opportunities for sectoral improvement include enhancing local distribution networks and establishing small-scale, localized processing units that could help in adding value to products such as cheese, yogurt, and packaged meats. These changes could enable producers to better meet local demand and potentially enter into higher-value markets .