Pago Pago, AMERICA SAMOA — Shifting production of Vailima from Samoa to Fiji will benefit local suppliers of Vailima Beer, says GHC Reid Manager Cherith Lober, while at the same time …” It is too early to comment on production costs.”

In an email to Samoa News, Ms Lober says that discussions are still underway between Samoa Breweries Limited and Paradise Beverages management over the closing of Vailima production in Samoa.

Lober’s comments follow the announcement by the Samoa Breweries Limited that they are moving production from Samoa to Fiji, evolving the local operations to a sales and distribution business.

“The evolution of Samoa Breweries Limited into a sales and distribution business will help the commercial viability and continuation of the much loved Vailima brand.”

The statement says Samoa Breweries Limited will continue to sell and provide Samoans with their ‘favourite’ alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. 

The brewing of Vailima beer will move to the Paradise Beverages facilities in Fiji, impacting around 50 local Samoan roles, according to the statement.

“GHC Reid will continue to receive Vailima beer in bottles from Samoa Breweries Ltd. until their Bottling Plant [in Apia] closes,” said Lober.

Adding that having Vailima in cans has been their “ask” from SBL for many years.

 “And the Fiji plant has the capacity to provide this packaging.”

Whether cost will increase with the beer being imported from Fiji, Lober says it is premature to address this at the moment.

 “It is too early to comment on product costs as Fiji has yet to start its production of Vailima beers.

Their production cost will play a major role on the final landed cost in American Samoa.

I will provide further details once discussions are finalized,” she said in an email to Samoa News.

Ms Lober said last week the moving of the Samoa Breweries Limited production to Fiji from Apia, will not have an impact on the service of local Vailima supplier GHC Reid. 

 “It is business as usual for GHC Reid and this change does provide future opportunities to have Vailima available in cans for our market,” said Lober.

The SBL General Manager Mike Spence said the commercial viability of their company declined over the past five years due to a combination of factors including aging machinery, the impact of the measles outbreak in 2019, followed by the disruption caused by COVID-19.

 “We have explored every avenue to continue brewing in Samoa, including further investment into our aging brewery, working with a third party to develop a new brewery, and working with a third party to brew our brands. Unfortunately, none of the options were commercially viable,” said Spencer.

Country Manager Moira Simi confirmed that 50 jobs will be lost as a result, however the Vailima brand and heritage will continue to live on.

The Vailima brand is loved both in Samoa and overseas and we want to continue that legacy, so it can be enjoyed into the future, Ms Simi said.

“We want to thank our people for their continuous efforts to improve the business, especially after such a tough few years. We know what the brewery represents in Samoa, and its role and history here is something we’re proud of.”