Fiji Government Keen to Stop Fruits and Vegetables Importation

The Fiji Government is working towards reducing trade deficit through the importation of fruits and vegetables. Fiji’s agriculture statistics for 2018 highlights that the country imports $21.4 million worth of fresh fruits annually and $0.33 million of processed fruits.

The Ministry of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Jone Sovalawa said imported fruits such as apples, oranges, pears and grapes have taken a wide share in the market. “Fiji has the potential to reduce 50 per cent of the import bill by focusing its resources on growing or producing more specific, high potential fruit items locally. Currently, Fiji relies largely on imported produce to meet the demands of its tourism sector and the agricultural sector will continue to play a dominant and leading role in the growth and development of Fiji’s economy through the provision of food security for the rural and maritime areas.”

Sovalawa highlighted challenges in substituting imported fruits with local supply. He said the Ministry of Agriculture continues to identify opportunities to link the tourism and the agriculture sectors to produce quality products in the correct quantity on a consistence basis. Moreover, the Ministry will continue its research for high yielding varieties that have low production costs, are pest and disease tolerant and resilient to the effects of climate change.