Fiji has experienced a growth in exports of fresh and chilled products, which rose to $73.9 million from January to June this year, marking a 16 percent increase from $63.6 million during the same timeframe in 2023. Conversely, the imports for these products fell by 3.3 percent, decreasing from $505.3 million to $488.4 million compared to the previous year, resulting in a savings of $17 million on the import bill.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism Viliame Gavoka announced these statistics during the launch of the 2024 National Agriculture Show in Nasinu. The Ministry of Agriculture reported significant increases in major fresh and chilled export commodities in the first half of 2024, including kava (up 30.9 percent from $16.6 million to $21.8 million), taro (up 18.4 percent from $17.9 million to $21.1 million), turmeric (up 22.5 percent from $10 million to $12.3 million), eggs (up 19.1 percent from $3.9 million to $4.6 million), and other vegetables (up 22.4 percent from $1.8 million to $2.3 million).
Mr. Gavoka praised this progress but urged all stakeholders to continue working towards improvement. He emphasized the importance of fostering an environment that supports farmers through necessary resources, training, and market access. He stated, “Our efforts and interventions must empower all farmers and stakeholders regardless of gender, age, or background to actively participate in the development of the sector.”
He highlighted the crucial role of youth and women in this transformation, noting that they provide fresh perspectives and energy essential for advancing the agricultural sector.