Produce Specialties Ltd, (PSL) was specifically formed in 1998, partly to take over from the Balthan Group, its Sunrise Solo Papaya growing and exporting activities, and to produce for the first time, under irrigation and special growing conditions, as dictated by the Japanese Government, Agriculture Department , Quarantine Division, in the Western Division of Fiji, fresh ginger, specifically targeted at the niche Japanese, immature (Shin Shoga) market. Tradionally all ginger is and has only been produced in Fiji's wetter Eastern Division.

This being a new activity for Fiji, it needed specialized expertise. Thus Barry Ladewig, a ginger farmer of 30 years experience from Queensland Australia, and his family, saw the potential and invested equally with the Thorpe family of the Balthan Group, to set up PSL and handle its operational activities.

PSL was instrumental in having the Japanese Government lift the quarantine ban on fresh ginger exports from Fiji, and is currently the only Fiji company growing and licensed to export fresh ginger to Japan.

In October 2004, PSL was the first company to reopen exports to Australia, after a lapse of 7 years, caused by the international withdrawal of the fumigant EDB. It is currently the sole Fiji exporter to Australia. All pre-export disinfestation of fruit, is now carried out through the quarantine approved, natural, high temperature forced air treatment facilty, located near Nadi International Airport.

Future PSL plans will enable the vertical integration of its total Papaya production.