SHORTAGE of fish at the Government cannery in Levuka will soon become a thing of the past with the official activation by the European Union of the global sourcing derogation in the Interim Economic Partnership Agreement (IEPA).
This, according to a statement from the Ministry of Trade, will allow Fiji to source raw fish from foreign-flagged vessels, process them here and benefit from the IEPA’s preferential access when exporting the value added fishery products to the EU.
“The global sourcing derogation allows Fiji to source raw fish from a wider range of foreign-flagged vessels,” the ministry stated.
“Once processed in Fiji, these value-added fish products can be exported to the EU duty-free.”
The development is expected to benefit local processors, create jobs, and drive growth in the fisheries, significantly expand Fiji’s export opportunities to the EU market and position Fiji as a competitive regional hub for value-added seafood production, the ministry stated.
Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica said it was timely for Fiji’s fish processing sector.
“The approval of global sourcing by the EU is a direct result of the Fiji Government’s strategic efforts to diversify our exports and strengthen access to high-value markets,” he said.
“It opens new avenues for investment, employment, and sustainable growth in our fisheries and manufacturing sectors.
“We remain committed to creating an enabling trade environment that delivers real benefits to our people and positions Fiji as a competitive player in global trade”.
Permanent Secretary for Trade Shaheen Ali said while Fiji welcomed the approval of global sourcing for processed fish, the ministry will continue to engage with the EU through the IEPA Trade Committee to explore the possibility of extending the arrangement to fresh and frozen fish, in which Fiji has significant market opportunity.
“This approval is a step in the right direction,” Mr Ali said.
“While we understand the EU’s current position on global sourcing for fresh and frozen fish, Fiji remains hopeful and committed to constructive engagement.
“We believe that a future extension would bring mutual benefits and further strengthen our fisheries partnership under the IEPA.”
The decision by the EU followed a formal request submitted by the Fiji Government to the EU in April 2025, supported by extensive technical documentation and consultations with the fisheries industry and relevant stakeholders.
The EU published a notice (C/2025/4197) on 30 July 2025 in the Official Journal of the European Union, confirming that effective 31 July 2025, processed fishery products under headings 1604 and 1605 — manufactured in on-land premises in Fiji from non-originating raw materials landed in Fijian ports — will be considered as originating products under the IEPA.
The IEPA is a trade and development agreement between the EU and Pacific states.
Fiji had announced its full implementation in August last year.
