FROZEN fish exports have recorded upward growth since 2010 to reach a value of $US126.8million ($F270.8m) in 2014, while fresh fish exports have remained around the $US20m ($F42.72m) mark, except for 2011 when they reached a high of $US60m ($F128.15m).
The Pacific Community and EU Pacific Trade Report 2010-2014 states that exports of aquatic invertebrates (including sea cucumbers) are a lot lower than the other two fish export categories, but reached $US12.4m ($F26.48m) in 2014.
The report noted that fish exports to Japan reached a value of $US82.2m ($F175.57m) in 2012 before declining to $US36.7m ($F78.39m) in 2014, while exports to US and Thailand recorded consistent sales annually, but at lower values (less than $US20m ($F42.72m).
Beverages
Fiji’s mineral water exports have grown rapidly since 2010, reaching a value of $US113.1m ($F241.56m) in 2014 while exports of non-alcoholic beverages, spirits and liqueurs remained at relatively low levels (less than $US6.2m ($F13.24m) per annum).
The report states beverage exports to USA, Fiji’s top market since 2010, reached a value of $US104.6m ($F223.4m) in 2014 while exports to the other two major markets have remained below $US5m ($F10.68m) in value since 2010.
Sugar
For sugar, the report says, exports have grown since 2010 to reach a value of $US111.1m ($F237.29m) in 2014, and exports of molasses reached a high of $US21.6m ($F46.13m) in 2013.
Sugar confectionery exports remained below $US500,000 ($F1.07m) in value.
Fiji’s main sugar export market is UK, although sales have fluctuated widely between $US45m ($F96.11m) in 2010 and $US93.5m ($F199.70m) in 2014.
Exports of sugar to US and Spain remained below $US22m ($F46.99m).
Wood
Wood, it says, is Fiji’s fourth-largest primary sector export product.
Sawn and sliced wood is usually the top seller but in 2014, the report states, this position was overtaken by the export value of wood chips.
Plywood and veneered panel exports remained at below $US3m ($F6.41m).
China, it says, overtook Japan in 2013 as Fiji’s top wood export market.
The report adds that China reached a value of $US31m ($F66.21m) in 2013 before declining slightly in 2014 and Japan is still an important market, however, with sales worth $US22.6m ($F48.27m) in 2014. Exports to USA are growing steadily and reached $US11.9m ($F25.42m) in 2014.
Cereal products
Fiji’s fifth largest primary export product is cereals.
“Exports of baked goods (including biscuits and cakes), the report states, reached a high of $US36.3m ($F77.53m) in 2011, but declined to $US28.4m ($F60.66m) in 2014.
“Pasta exports peaked at $US20m ($F42.72m) in 2012, while breakfast cereal exports increased gradually to reach $US9.8m ($F20.93m) in 2014.
“Australia and New Zealand remained Fiji’s main export markets for cereal products, although annual exports to the two countries have declined in the past few years.
It says annual exports to New Caledonia have remained below $US1.5m ($F3.20m) in value since 2010.
Fiji overview of imports
The total value of Fiji’s merchandise imports from the world stood at $US3.3billion ($F7.05b) in 2014.
The report says imports grew in value by an average of 15 per cent per annum between 2010 and 2014.
Fiji is placed 152nd out of 220 countries in ITC world import rankings.
Fiji’s top five merchandise imports for 2014 were fuel, valued at $US795.6m ($F1.7b), machinery at $US287.9m ($F614.91m), electrical items at $US269.2m ($F574.97m), aircraft (and parts) at $US205.3m ($F438.49m) and fish at $US194.7m ($F415.85m).
Fiji’s top five total merchandise import suppliers in 2014 were Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, China and France.
The total value of Fiji’s primary sector imports stood at $US692.3m ($F1.48b) in 2014 or 46 per cent of the country’s total merchandise import value for the year.
Fish is Fiji’s top primary sector import since 2011 and reached a value of $US194.7m ($F415.85m) in 2014.
Cereals were the top import category in 2010, with a value of $US70.5m ($F150.58m), but dropped to second largest in 2011.
Paper imports have remained around the $US50m ($F106.79m) mark since 2010.
The value of dairy, egg and honey imports has also remained around the $US50m ($F106.79m) mark since 2010. Imports of fats and oils have remained below $US36m ($F76.89m).
Fish import
Frozen fish was Fiji’s main fish import between 2010 and 2014, recording rapid growth to reach $US177.1m ($F378.26m) in 2014. Other fish imports were below $US10m ($F21.36m) in value.
Imports from Chinese Taipei reached a peak value of $US74.4m ($F158.91m) in 2012 before declining to $US31.7m ($F67.72m) in 2014. Imports from China have also increased steadily every year since 2010, reaching a value of $US30.2m ($F64.50m) in 2014.
Fiji also imported fish from Kiribati, Vanuatu and Tonga.
Cereal import
Flour imports rose gradually from 2010 to reach a value of $US68.9m ($F147.16m) in 2013, before dropping slightly in 2014.
Rice imports remained at around $US20m ($F43.09m)while all other cereal imports were below $US200,000 ($F430,939) in value.
Cereal imports from Australia grew slowly from $US50m ($F106.79m) in 2010 to reach a value of $US73m ($F106.79m) in 2013, while imports from Vietnam recorded a slight downward trend.
Thailand was the third-largest supplier, but at a relative low.
Dairy, egg and honey imports
Milk and cream imports increased after 2010 to reach a value of $US43.7m ($F93.33m) in 2014, while butter imports stayed relatively constant at around $US10m ($F21.36m) for the five-year period.
Cheese imports increased gradually from $US2.3m ($F4.91m) in 2010 to $US5m ($F10.68m) in 2014.
Dairy, eggs and honey imports from New Zealand reached a value of $US51.7m ($F110.42m) in 2014. Imports from Australia and Singapore were at much lower levels, with both countries supplying annual imports below $US13m ($F27.77m) in value.
