FIJIANS could face higher prices for imported goods as the El Niño phenomenon affects global supply chains, fisheries production and the country’s agricultural exports.
Minister for Agriculture Tomasi Tunabuna warned that the impact would extend beyond local farming, with rising costs overseas likely to be reflected in the prices of imported goods.
“This is a global phenomenon,” he said.
“We should be telling our consumers that cost will increase because costs affected outside Fiji, our import will be also affected,” he said.
Mr Tunabuna said rising global ocean temperatures could also reduce fish catches, potentially pushing up the cost of seafood.
“The increase in global ocean temperature, that’s going to reduce the catch that we have in the fisheries sector. That might have the impact on the cost of fish.”
He said the sugar industry was also facing significant challenges, following reduced sugarcane production last year, with El Niño expected to further affect the sector.
“We had a reduced cane supply last year. We will have a drastic effect of El Niño on sugarcane.”
Mr Tunabuna said the economic consequences would be felt across both imports and exports, as the country dealt with the effects of prolonged dry conditions and changing global weather patterns.
“As I have said, not only export, import costs will be affected as well.”
