It’s a strategic turning point for Tahiti’s pearl farming industry. Belpearl Group, a pearl trading company established in 1933 and renowned for its international auctions, is opening an office in Papeete. This Saturday, around fifty pearl farmers attended a symposium organized by the company at the Intercontinental, demonstrating a clear intent to connect local producers to the demands of the global market.
Present in French Polynesia since 1990, the family-run Belpearl Group—founded by the Hajjar family from Lebanon—already works with 25 local farms. With extensive experience in Japan, Hong Kong, and now Tahiti, it has become one of the leading players in international pearl trading.
A Local Office for Evaluation, Sorting, and Sales
Freddy Hajjar, the future director of the Papeete office, explains the approach: “We are opening a downtown space where pearl farmers can bring their lots for accurate valuation. Many don’t really know the value of their pearls because the sorting process is not always well done.”
Belpearl also plans to offer free training in modern sorting techniques, inspired by artificial intelligence technologies already used in the diamond industry. This support aims to help producers better align with market expectations.
Fighting Rumors and Providing Direct Information
The initiative also seeks to dispel misconceptions surrounding pearl sales. “Sometimes we sell pearls at very good prices internationally, and then I hear rumors in Tahiti claiming the prices were low. That’s just coconut radio. It’s crucial to share the facts and give farmers the tools to track their sales and understand the true value of their products,” says Freddy Hajjar.
For Steve Pommier, a pearl farmer in Arutua and president of the local lagoon management committee, this new transparency is essential: “We’re often focused on production without knowing what buyers are really looking for. This direct link to the market helps us better guide our farms in terms of quality, size, and color.”
Direct Access to the Global Market
Arii Sichoix, a pearl farmer in the Gambier Islands, welcomes the new office: “Thanks to Belpearl, we now have access to the Hong Kong market with a reduced commission rate of just 5%. It also removes our dependency on a single local middleman. Although that intermediary—Robert Wan—has greatly contributed to our development, it’s time for us to evolve.”
Belpearl’s arrival in Tahiti doesn’t aim to replace existing players but rather to expand opportunities for pearl farmers and encourage a more open market structure.
Hatcheries: The Key to Solving the Nacre Shortage
However, international momentum will mean little if the upstream sector collapses. “The biggest challenge today is the scarcity of pearl oyster spat. Natural collection is no longer sufficient due to pollution. The future lies in hatcheries,” warns Arii Sichoix, who plans to launch his own hatchery in the Gambier Islands by next March.
“It takes two years from spawning to pearl harvest. If we want to ensure the sustainability of the sector, we need to act now,” he insists.
Rising Prices, But Caution Still Needed
The black pearl market remains volatile. “The Covid crisis slowed production, and trade tensions between China and the United States have also impacted prices,” notes Freddy Hajjar.
But the outlook is positive. “Prices have nearly doubled since Covid. We’ve gone from 600 to 1,200 XPF per gram. If demand holds, we could even reach 1,800 XPF,” he adds hopefully.
Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity
The message is clear: better to produce less, but with higher quality. Belpearl purchases pearls ranging from grade A to D, but is now also interested in E-grade pearls, once considered nearly unsellable, due to increasing global demand.
With broader sales opportunities, targeted training, and technical support, Belpearl’s expanded presence in Tahiti could breathe new life into a sector seeking stability.
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