PEARL REPORT 2021

PEARL REPORT | 37 | 2021-2022 精闢視野 Weir-Smith revealed that demand for white and silver South Sea pearls remained solid throughout the 2021 financial year. Global uncertainties’ potential impact on pearl pricing was offset by customers being more receptive to alternative distribution channels. “Feedback from our customers indicate that there has been no reduction in demand for their goods, which in turn supports continued production,” the company official said. Sustainability Atlas Pearls’ sustainability commitment remains a strong priority for the company. It operates a significant corporate social responsibility programme focused on each of its farming locations. These initiatives revolve around five core areas: Environment (flora and fauna rehabilitation, waste reduction, recycling and upcycling, environmental awareness education in local schools and regular beach clean ups); education (student scholarships, infrastructure and school supplies); health (access to healthcare, health education focused on preventative disease and illness such as breast cancer); employment and training (Atlas Pearls currently employs over 1,000 part- and full-time locals in Indonesia where its farms are located); and community (access to improved infrastructure, transportation, funding and donations for local community activities, buildings and events). Outlook Atlas Pearls will continue to pursue a diversified distribution strategy to expand its reach to new markets and regions and make its pearls more accessible to a broader audience. “As consumers demand more transparency, Atlas Pearls will continue to implement and emphasise our sustainable, non- extractive methods, and their positive impact on the environment while focusing on our ability to certify the origin of our pearls,” noted Weir-Smith. Having recently acquired its seventh farming site in West Lembata in Indonesia, the company will strive to guarantee uninterrupted production of top- quality South Sea pearls. 2 020 年儼如珍珠業界的寒冬。傳統分銷網絡長期受到限 制，成為籠罩業界的最大陰霾。不能外遊的日子持續， 而面對珍珠需求，行內企業必須另覓對策。 Atlas Pearls 就在 此時迎難而上。 據 Atlas Pearls 的市場主管 Kym Weir-Smith 所述，公司研發了 一個專屬網上拍賣平台，並於 2020 年 11 月啟用，務求能夠 持續供應珍珠予客戶。一個月後， Atlas Pearls 舉辦了首個為 豐收期而設的網上銷售活動。 Weir-Smith 表示：“我們的網 上平台非常成功，使用的客戶來自世界各地，包括澳洲、新 西蘭、日本、中國、美國和西班牙。這次成功經驗，反映了 Atlas Pearls 把握機遇的敏銳觸角。” Atlas Pearls 同時亦推出了對應平台的流動應用程式，成功開 拓傳統網絡未能覆蓋的客戶，並成為現時公司多方向銷售策 略的重要一環。 Weir-Smith 透露，於 2021 年財政年度，白 色和銀色的南洋珠一如既往有穩健的需求，而售價亦保持平 穩。現時客戶愈趨接受其他分銷渠道，抵消了全球不明朗環 境對珍珠價格的潛在影響。“從客戶的反應可見，產品的需 求並沒有下降，有利於持續生產。” 可持續發展 Atlas Pearls 對保育生態的決心至今不減。公司正推行一個企 業社會責任項目，針對旗下每一個養殖場地。項目圍繞以下 五個主要範疇：環境(動植物保育、減廢、循環再造和升級 再造、為本地學校提供環保意識教育，以及定期海灘清潔行 動)；教育(獎學金、基建和學校物資)；健康(提供醫療服務途 徑、針對乳癌等可預防疾病的健康教育)；就業與培訓( Atlas Pearls 的印尼養殖場現時聘用逾 1,000 名本地兼職或全職人 員)；社區(為本地社區的活動和建築物改善基建和交通，並 提供資金和捐助)。 展望未來 Atlas Pearls 將致力奉行多元化的分銷策略，以便將銷售擴 展至新市場與地區，讓更廣泛的群 眾能接觸到其產品。“有見消費者 對全面掌握產品資訊的需求日益增 加， Atlas Pearls 將繼續實行有利 保育生態環境和非提取式的養殖方 法，強調我們的養殖方法如何能夠 保育環境。 Atlas Pearls 的珍珠包含 品種來源認證，我們將善用這方面的 優勢。” 最近， Atlas Pearls 在印尼雷姆巴塔 島西部開設了第七個養殖場，以確保 能夠無間斷生產品質上乘的南洋珠。 White South Sea pearls from Atlas Pearls Atlas Pearls 的白色南洋珠