Labour market conditions in Fiji are showing “signs of easing,” even as several industries continue to face sector-specific challenges, according to the Reserve Bank of Fiji’s latest Economic Review for November.
The RBF reported that labour demand has moderated, with job advertisements declining by 6.4 percent in the year to October.
This trend, the review notes, reflects vacancies gradually being filled and is supported by formal employment registrations with the Fiji National Provident Fund, which rose 1.8 percent up to September.
“On the supply side, temporary migration under seasonal worker schemes contracted by 5.0 percent, while resident departures for one year and above declined by 13.9 percent over the same period,” the review stated.
“Demand for foreign labour also fell.”
Despite easing labour market pressures, the central bank said most sectors continued to record positive outcomes, though challenges remained.
In the resource sector, timber output surged significantly, with mahogany production up 67.4 percent and pine wood output rising 87.9 percent in the year to October. The RBF attributed this to favourable weather that enabled increased harvesting.
Electricity production also rose slightly by 0.1 percent, driven by higher energy demand from both industrial and domestic customers, which increased by 2.2 percent.
However, the review highlighted several areas of decline.
Mineral water production fell by 11.9 percent, largely due to weaker demand from the United States.
Gold ore output dropped 27.7 percent as Vatukoula Gold Mines Limited shifted its operations toward exporting gold concentrates instead of ore. In contrast, Tuvatu Gold Mine recorded a 25.9 percent increase in ore production.
The sugar industry also faced difficulties, with total sugar production falling 14.3 percent up to 24 November despite a 2.6 percent increase in cane supply.
The RBF said the decline was “largely due to poor cane quality, operational challenges and unfavourable weather conditions.”
The central bank noted that while broad outcomes remain positive, several industries continue to grapple with structural and environmental constraints heading into the final quarter of the year.
