Fiji Pacific Food in Salisbury Downs, Adelaide, has become a vital hub for the Fijian community and food lovers in South Australia.

As a dedicated Fijian grocery and retail shop, it offers a true "home away from home" experience that stands out in the region.

Director Kamlesh Mani, originally from Nausori, Fiji, opened the doors in 2023 with a clear mission to make authentic island products easily available.

Fiji Pacific Food offers a full range of authentic products. The shelves are stocked with products like taro, cassava, and frozen jackfruit to favorite snacks, FMF breakfast crackers, Punjas spices, PAFCO’s canned tuna, and many more.

Today, the store is a vibrant space where visitors can find between 200 - 300 different Fijian products.

The inspiration for the business came when Mr. Mani noted that Fijian families in South Australia struggled to find the food and items they grew up with. He spent years planning a space that would offer more than just groceries.

The successful start of Fiji Pacific Food can be traced back to the Fiji Investment Forum held in Sydney in 2022. This event was a turning point for Mr. Mani, providing the professional pathway and context he needed to navigate the Australian market.

Having faced challenges with a previous business attempt in 2016 without such support, he credits the guidance from Investment Fiji as a key reason for his current success.

"I highly recommend going through Investment Fiji," he says. "It is the best place to go to get the right context and support for your business."

With the business now firmly established, hes is already looking toward the future. He shared that plans are underway to grow the retail and distribution side of the company to serve even more people across South Australia.

"Our goal is to expand as a retail and distribution center and be a hub for the Fijian people," he explains. He is now focused on getting even more Fijian exports into the Australian market and is planning to expand his footprint into Western Australia to meet the growing demand in that region.

Reflecting on the recent Fiji-Australia Business Mission, Mr. Mani shared his appreciation for the continued support and extended his gratitude to the Fiji Government, specifically thanking Minister for Finance, Commerce and Business Development, Hon. Esrom Immanuel and Investment Fiji for their dedication to fostering trade and investment. He also thanked the Fiji Trade Commission Australia and Fiji High Commission to Australia, for their ongoing assistance in bridging the gap between the two countries.  

By creating this bridge between Fiji and Australia, Fiji Pacific Food is not only growing as a business but also ensuring that the Fijian culture and way of life remain strong for the diaspora. It is a proud moment of how a great idea, supported by the right professional network, can turn into a thriving success.

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