Imported Fertilizer Pilot

The Imported Fertilizer Pilot, coordinated by the Hawaiʻi Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) through its Hilo Tropical AgTech Initiative, directly addresses one of Hawaiʻi Island's most pressing agricultural challenges: the high cost of fertilizer and essential farm inputs. Utilizing FTZ’s extensive international trade networks, this pilot project is actively sourcing lower-cost fertilizer and agricultural inputs, particularly exploring opportunities in China. By facilitating new import arrangements and leveraging FTZ's expertise in logistics and trade, the pilot aims to significantly reduce input expenses for local farmers, thereby directly improving profitability and competitiveness.

This strategic approach seeks not only to lower immediate costs but also to develop sustainable, repeatable supply chains and distribution mechanisms that could reliably meet the island’s long-term agricultural input needs. Ultimately, success in this pilot will not only benefit participating farmers but also provide a replicable model for reducing farm production costs across Hawaiʻi Island, strengthening local agricultural sustainability and market viability.