Commerce and Trade Minister Faiyaz Koya has revealed that Fiji’s agriculture exports continue to grow in 2020.
He made the comment while opening the Western Agriculture Show in Nadi this week.
Mr Koya said farmers produced about 327,000 tonnes of agricultural commodities in 2019 compared with 315,000 tonnes in 2018.
He added since 2015, the agriculture sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP (gross domestic product)averaged about 4.2 per cent.
“In 2019, agriculture (only crop and livestock) contributed around $725.8 million,” he said.
Mr Koya said Fiji’s agriculture exports continued to grow in the first half of 2020 with exports of fresh and chilled commodities grew by 15 per cent in comparison with 2018.
“This growth is attributed to kava exports to the US, taro to New Zealand and Australia, turmeric and ginger to the US, spices to the Netherlands and fresh produce exports to Pacific Island countries.
“It was important to maintain consistency of supply and quality of produce to enable Fiji to maintain existing markets and explore new ones.
“With quality comes packaging and branding.
“This is why, I want to use the platform of the Agriculture Show to remind you of your very own national brand, the ‘Fijian Made-Buy Fijian’ initiative.
“The Fijian Made brand provides opportunities, especially for farmers to get brand recognition locally and globally.”
The Western Agriculture Show ends today at Koroivolu Park, Nadi with the National Farmers Awards.
