This event brings together 71 pearl farmers presenting an impressive total of 625,345 pearls, valued at approximately 600 million XPF. Although not open to the public, the event attracts international buyers from various regions, including China, Korea, the United States, New Zealand, Thailand — and especially Japan, which accounts for nearly 50% of participants.

For the first time, the Maison de la Perle is covering part of the operational costs, marking a new strategic partnership with the GIE and the Ministry of Marine Resources. This agreement reflects a shared commitment to develop the marketing, value enhancement, and promotion of Tahitian pearls.

The auction results will be announced each evening on the GIE Poe O Rikitea website, and this event is only the beginning of a series of international sales scheduled to take place in Tahiti — with another auction planned for August 2012 and three more in 2013. These initiatives aim to market around 2 million pearls next year, underscoring a strong commitment to the growth and development of the pearl farming sector.