The forestry sector is a significant contributor to Fiji’s economy, ranking among the 21 key industries in the nation. In 2022, the industry generated approximately $31.1 million, which represents 0.3 percent of Fiji’s real GDP, according to Minister for Forestry Alitia Bainivalu.
She shared this information while speaking at the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) Conference in Macao, China. Bainivalu noted that while Fiji does not export logs, the country processes all of its round wood production into sawn wood and woodchips, with woodchips designated for export and sawn wood aimed at both domestic and international markets.
In 2022, domestic export earnings reached an estimated $1.1 billion, and the forestry sector accounted for around 6.8 percent, equivalent to $93 million. Bainivalu highlighted the foresight of the Fijian government, which, even before gaining independence in 1970, invested in forestry plantations utilizing two fast-growing exotic species: pine and mahogany.
She stated that these plantation efforts have been successful, leading to the establishment of two commercial forest plantation companies, co-owned by the government and landowners, which manage pine and mahogany separately. The goal was to encourage a sustainable timber industry that relies less on natural forests for timber production.
Bainivalu explained that production from natural forests has been decreasing for several years and now accounts for only 3 percent of the nation’s total production, with plantations contributing 6 percent from mahogany and an impressive 91 percent from pine. She also noted that the mahogany plantation is expected to double its production in the next 18 to 24 months, potentially raising total wood production to around 600,000 cubic meters annually.
Looking ahead, Bainivalu mentioned that most remaining natural forests will likely be reserved for non-wood uses, meaning that the vast majority of wood produced will come from plantations.
However, the sector faces significant challenges, particularly from climate change. Bainivalu pointed out that the clear distinction between wet and dry seasons is disappearing, complicating the planning and execution of plantation establishment and harvesting. Prolonged dry spells and rising temperatures pose increased risks of forest fires, especially in pine plantations. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding the adaptability of key plantation species to shifting weather patterns heightens these risks, particularly as the commercial plantations predominantly consist of a single species, increasing vulnerability to pests and diseases.