The Forestry Sector plays a significant role in driving Fiji’s economy, being one of the 21 key industries. According to Minister for Forestry Alitia Bainivalu, the forestry and logging sector contributed approximately $31.1 million in 2022, which represents around 0.3 percent of Fiji’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Bainivalu made these remarks at the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) Conference held in Macao, China, this week. She highlighted that while Fiji does not export logs, all of its round wood production is transformed into sawn wood and woodchips, which are the primary products.
“Woodchips are designated for export, while sawn wood is aimed at both domestic and international markets,” Bainivalu stated. In 2022, total domestic export earnings reached an estimated $1.1 billion, with the forestry sector contributing about 6.8 percent, equating to $93.0 million.
The Minister noted that Fiji has benefited from investments in forestry plantations made by the government prior to its independence in 1970, specifically focusing on two fast-growing exotic species: pine and mahogany. She mentioned, “Our plantation initiatives have been notably successful, leading to the establishment of two commercial forest plantation companies managed jointly by the government and landowners—one overseeing pine and the other managing mahogany.”
These efforts were aimed at creating a sustainable timber industry that serves both domestic and export markets, reducing reliance on natural forests. Bainivalu pointed out that over recent years, production from natural forests has been declining and now accounts for only 3 percent of total national production. In contrast, forest plantations of mahogany and pine contribute 6 percent and 91 percent of total production, respectively.
The mahogany plantation is anticipated to double its production in the next 18 to 24 months, bringing total wood production close to 600,000 cubic meters per year. She emphasized that, with most remaining natural forests likely to be reserved for non-wood purposes, nearly all wood produced will come from plantations.
However, Bainivalu identified climate change as a significant challenge facing the sector. “The clear distinction between the wet and dry seasons is becoming less defined, complicating plantation management and harvesting strategies,” she explained. “Extended dry periods and rising temperatures elevate the risk of forest fires, which have increasingly affected our pine plantations. Moreover, the ability of our main plantation species to adapt to changing climatic conditions is uncertain.”
She added that the monoculture nature of the commercial plantations exacerbates these risks, increasing susceptibility to pests and diseases.