The forestry sector plays a crucial role in Fiji’s economy, being one of the 21 key industries. In 2022, it contributed approximately $31.1 million, equivalent to 0.3 percent of the nation’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as stated by Minister for Forestry Alitia Bainivalu during her address at the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) Conference in Macao, China.
Minister Bainivalu highlighted that Fiji does not export logs; rather, it processes all round wood into sawn wood and woodchips, which are its two primary products. “Woodchips are designated for export, while sawn wood caters to both the domestic and export markets,” she explained. She noted that in 2022, the total domestic export earnings were estimated at $1.1 billion, with the forestry sector’s contribution at around 6.8 percent, totaling $93.0 million.
Bainivalu lauded the foresight of the Fijian Government, which invested in forestry plantations even before the country gained independence in 1970, utilizing fast-growing exotic species such as pine and mahogany. She emphasized the success of these plantation efforts, leading to the establishment of two commercial forest plantation companies jointly owned by the Government and landowners: one focused on pine and the other on mahogany.
The Minister explained that the primary goal was to create and maintain a sustainable timber industry that serves both domestic and export markets while reducing reliance on natural forests. She pointed out that production from natural forests has been declining for several years and currently accounts for only 3 percent of total national production. In contrast, plantations of mahogany and pine contribute 6 percent and 91 percent, respectively. She mentioned that mahogany plantation production is expected to double within the next 18 to 24 months, bringing total wood production to nearly 600,000 cubic meters annually.
With a shift towards reserving most remaining natural forests for non-wood uses, future wood supplies are anticipated to come almost entirely from these plantations.
However, Bainivalu identified climate change as a significant challenge for the sector. She noted that the clear distinction between wet and dry seasons has blurred, complicating plantation establishment and harvesting planning. Increased temperatures and prolonged dry weather have raised the risks of forest fires, particularly in pine plantations. Additionally, the main plantation species may struggle with the changing climatic conditions, posing greater risks due to reliance on a single species and the potential for pest and disease outbreaks.