Root crops deal

Solomon Islands want access for root crops into NZ

He told Mr McCully crop farmers could export cassava, taro, yam, panna and kava.

At the moment the crops go mainly to the domestic market.

Mr Sogavare said New Zealand had a ready market with its large population of Pacific Islanders.

He pointed out that Samoa, Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu were already able to export taro and kava to New Zealand.

Mr McCully said he will raise the request but said the bio-security arrangements between the two countries would need to be secured first.