In the late 1950s, Fiji experienced a decline in copra production, largely due to aging coconut trees and inefficient replanting efforts, as discussed by W.G. Johnson in a speech published in The Fiji Times on August 18, 1959.
The copra output was recorded at 40,000 tons in 1956, but this figure decreased to 33,000 tons in 1957 and further dropped to 31,000 tons in 1958. Johnson predicted a production of around 28,000 tons for 1959, indicating a significant reduction in the colony’s income despite high prices earlier in the year that provided some financial stability.
He expressed concern about the long-term outlook, suggesting it would be discouraging should prices normalize. Establishing commercial coconut plantations on untouched land, which requires clearing bush and waiting seven to ten years for crops, demands both financial investment and bravery.
Johnson noted that many plantations were aging and not producing full crops, compounded by losses from storms and lightning. He encouraged Fijians to cultivate coconuts wherever feasible, emphasizing their longevity of about 65 years.
During the 1950s, copra production in Fiji was divided, with 40 percent produced by plantations mainly owned by Europeans and part-Europeans, while 60 percent was managed by local landowners. According to records from 1958, the quality grading of copra was 9 percent hot air-dried, 41 percent fair merchantable copra 1, 44 percent fair merchantable copra 2, and 6 percent sub-standard copra.