Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya says Fiji is not facing a fuel shortage, but rising global prices are already being felt locally due to international disruptions.
Speaking on the issue in a national brodcast, Tabuya highlighted concerns around instability in key global shipping routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s fuel supply passes.
Any disruption in this corridor, she said, has a direct impact on fuel prices and availability worldwide.
Tabuya stressed that Fiji remains heavily reliant on imported fuel and does not produce its own supply. As a result, global developments—especially the ongoing tensions in the Middle East—are quickly reflected in local fuel costs.
“Fiji still has fuel. Our supply is stable and available across the country,” she said. “This is not a fuel shortage right now—this is a fuel price issue.”
Fuel prices in Fiji increased on April 1, a move the Minister said reflects the rising cost of future shipments rather than current stock. She explained that fuel companies must continuously purchase new supplies, and current prices are influenced by the significantly higher cost of replenishment.
According to Tabuya, global fuel prices have surged dramatically, rising from around $95 per barrel to as high as $230 per barrel in a short period. This sharp increase means that upcoming shipments to Fiji will be more expensive, with the possibility of further price hikes if the global situation deteriorates.
She warned that while fuel remains available now, uncertainty lies ahead. “We do not yet know what supply will look like in the coming months, particularly for May and June,” she said, adding that Fiji has no control over international conflicts or global shipping disruptions.
The government, she noted, is taking precautionary steps now to ensure the country is prepared should conditions worsen, urging the public to use fuel wisely in anticipation of continued volatility.
