The forestry sector plays a crucial role in Fiji’s economy, noted Forestry Minister Alitia Bainivalu. In 2022, the industry contributed around $31.1 million, which is about 0.3 percent of the country’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Minister Bainivalu made these remarks during her address at the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) Conference held in Macao, China this week.
Bainivalu highlighted that while Fiji does not export logs, the nation processes all its round wood production into two primary products: sawn wood and woodchips. “Woodchips are slated for export, while sawn wood is aimed at both domestic and international markets,” she explained. The forestry sector accounted for approximately 6.8 percent, or $93.0 million, of the estimated $1.1 billion in total domestic export earnings in 2022.
The Minister expressed gratitude for the government’s early investment in forestry plantations, which began before Fiji’s independence in 1970. This foresight involved the cultivation of fast-growing exotic species such as pine and mahogany. “Our plantation initiatives have yielded success, leading to the establishment of two commercial forest plantation companies owned by the government and landowners, with one focusing on pine and the other on mahogany,” she said.
The aim was to create a sustainable timber industry that serves both local and export markets while minimizing dependence on natural forests. Bainivalu pointed out that production from natural forests has been in decline, currently accounting for only 3 percent of total national production; in contrast, mahogany and pine plantations contribute 6 percent and 91 percent, respectively. She anticipated that mahogany plantation production could double in the next 18 to 24 months, potentially raising the overall wood production to nearly 600,000 cubic meters annually.
With the remaining natural forests likely to be preserved for non-wood uses, Bainivalu indicated that the majority of wood produced in the future will come from plantations.
However, the sector faces significant challenges, particularly due to climate change. Bainivalu mentioned that the previously clear distinction between wet and dry seasons has blurred, complicating the planning and execution of plantation establishment and harvesting. Prolonged dry spells and rising temperatures are heightening the risk of forest fires, particularly in pine plantations, alongside concerns regarding the adaptability of key plantation species to changing weather patterns. The reliance on a single species for commercial plantations also amplifies the risks, including the threat of pests and diseases.