The forestry sector is one of the key contributors to Fiji’s economy, being part of the 21 industries that drive growth in the nation. In 2022, the forestry and logging industry generated approximately $31.1 million, according to Forestry Minister Alitia Bainivalu. This amount represents around 0.3 percent of Fiji’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Bainivalu made these remarks during the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) Conference held in Macao, China. She explained that although Fiji does not export logs, it processes all of its round wood production into sawn wood and woodchips, which are its primary products. The woodchips are designated for export, while sawn wood is intended for both domestic and export markets.
In 2022, total domestic export earnings reached an estimated $1.1 billion, with the forestry sector contributing approximately 6.8 percent, or $93 million. Bainivalu highlighted that Fiji has benefitted from government investments in forestry plantations dating back to before the country’s independence in 1970, utilizing fast-growing exotic species such as pine and mahogany.
She noted the success of these plantation efforts, which have led to the establishment of two commercial forest plantation companies, co-owned by the government and landowners—one focusing on pine and the other on mahogany. The aim has been to foster a sustainable timber industry that serves both domestic and export markets while minimizing reliance on natural forests.
Currently, production from natural forests has steadily declined, accounting for only 3 percent of total national production. In contrast, forest plantations of mahogany and pine contribute 6 percent and 91 percent, respectively. Bainivalu anticipates that mahogany production is set to double in the next 18 to 24 months, pushing total wood production to nearly 600,000 cubic meters annually. With much of the remaining natural forest likely to be designated for non-wood uses and services, future wood production will predominantly come from plantations.
Bainivalu also identified climate change as a significant challenge facing the sector. She noted the diminishing clarity in the transition between wet and dry seasons, complicating the planning and execution of plantation establishment and harvesting. Increased droughts and rising temperatures heighten the risk of forest fires, particularly in pine plantations. Additionally, the vulnerability of the main plantation species to shifting weather patterns due to climate change represents a growing concern, especially since all commercial plantations utilize a single species, which amplifies the risks of pest and disease outbreaks.