The Forestry Sector is one of the key industries supporting Fiji’s economy. According to Minister for Forestry Alitia Bainivalu, the forestry and logging industry contributed around $31.1 million in 2022, which is approximately 0.3 percent of Fiji’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Ms. Bainivalu made these remarks at the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) Conference in Macao, China, this week. She explained that although Fiji does not export logs, it processes all of its round wood production into two primary products: sawn wood and woodchips. Woodchips are mainly exported, while sawn wood is aimed at both domestic and export markets.
In 2022, Fiji’s total domestic export earnings were estimated at $1.1 billion, with the forestry sector contributing about 6.8 percent, or roughly $93 million. Ms. Bainivalu noted that Fiji has benefited from government foresight to invest in forestry plantations even before gaining independence in 1970, particularly in two fast-growing exotic species: pine and mahogany.
She highlighted the success of their plantation initiatives, which led to the establishment of two commercial forest plantation companies owned jointly by the government and landowners—one managing pine and the other managing mahogany. The goal was to sustain a timber industry that caters to both domestic and export needs while reducing reliance on natural forests.
However, production from natural forests has been decreasing over the years, currently accounting for only three percent of total national production. In contrast, plantation contributions are substantial, with mahogany and pine providing six percent and 91 percent of production, respectively. The mahogany plantation is projected to double its production within the next 18 to 24 months, potentially raising total wood production to nearly 600,000 cubic meters per annum.
As the remaining natural forests are reserved for non-wood uses, it is expected that nearly all wood production will originate from plantations.
Ms. Bainivalu also highlighted climate change as a significant challenge for the sector. She noted that the distinct wet and dry seasons are becoming harder to predict, complicating the planning and execution of plantation establishment and harvesting. Longer dry periods and rising temperatures are increasing the risk of forest fires, particularly affecting pine plantations. Additionally, the viability of the main plantation species amidst changing weather patterns poses further uncertainty, especially since all commercial plantations consist of a single species, raising the risks of pest and disease outbreaks.