Paddy rice market in Fiji

Earlier Report Observations

Fiji's paddy rice market volume began at 7 088 tonnes in 2018, the year Fiji Rice Limited launched a new production project in Macuata Province aiming to add hundreds of tonnes to output. After a decrease to 6 646 tonnes in 2019, the market expanded sharply to 8 827 tonnes in 2020, driven by direct government support which provided rice harvesters to farmers. This mechanization lowered harvesting costs and allowed for night operations during curfews, significantly boosting local production capacity.

Market growth accelerated, reaching 13 252 tonnes by 2022. This period was marked by initiatives to incentivize farmers, including the launch of the President's Rice Farmers Awards, and a formal Memorandum of Agreement between the Ministry of Agriculture and Fiji Rice Limited to boost production and explore export markets. These efforts focused on increasing farmer engagement and expanding the production base.

In 2023, the market volume halved to 7 085 tonnes. This sharp contraction was primarily due to an extreme shortage of paddy supply caused by excessive rainfall from late 2022, which hampered land preparation and increased input costs. Despite these challenges, efforts to revive the sector continued, with China providing support to address production hurdles and Fiji Rice targeting the tourism sector for growth. By 2024, attractive paddy prices spurred renewed interest from landowners in rice farming, while The Rice Company of Fiji reported a significant revenue increase, indicating a recovery in demand.

Production paddy rice in Fiji

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of paddy rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of paddy rice, 2017-2020

Fiji's paddy rice production increased after two years of decline. In 2020, Fiji produced 8,847 tonnes of paddy rice, representing a 34.3% year-over-year increase. However, looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 2.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 0.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 6,589 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 22.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Fiji in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports paddy rice from Fiji

Exports in kind, kg

The export market for paddy rice from Fiji showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a staggering 662-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Fiji exported 19,861 kilograms of paddy rice, marking a dramatic 871.6% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at just 30 kilograms. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 99.6% drop, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 6,713.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Fiji in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Fiji's paddy rice exports by volume were Wallis and Futuna Islands (54.4% of exports), Tuvalu (10.3% of exports), and Tonga (4.9% of exports). Together, these three markets accounted for 69.6% of Fiji's total paddy rice export flows during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Fiji in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

The export value data reveals irregular patterns, indicating a highly volatile market environment. The period from 2018 to 2020 showed extreme fluctuations, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 1,642 times. In 2020, Fiji exported paddy rice worth $31,457 US dollars, reflecting a significant 73.3% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at just $19 US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 99.9% drop, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 at 94,623.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Fiji in value, 2017-2020, $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, the leading destinations for Fiji's paddy rice exports by value were Tuvalu (23.2% of export value), Australia (4.7% of export value), and Wallis and Futuna Islands (2.3% of export value). Together, these three markets accounted for 30.3% of Fiji's total paddy rice export value during this timeframe.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Fiji in value, 2017-2020

Imports paddy rice to Fiji

Imports in kind, kg

The import market for paddy rice in Fiji displayed an unstable trend throughout the observed period. Imports reached their highest level in 2019 and dropped to their lowest in 2020, creating a 343-fold gap between these two years. In 2020, Fiji imported approximately 171 kilograms of paddy rice, representing a 99.7% year-over-year decrease. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 58,622 kilograms. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 57.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Fiji in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, India and the United States remained the principal suppliers of paddy rice to Fiji, together accounting for 99.3% of Fiji's total paddy rice imports by volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Fiji in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

Volatility characterized the import market behavior during these years. Import values climbed to their maximum in 2019 and dropped to a minimum in 2020, representing a 53-fold shift. In 2020, Fiji's imported paddy rice was valued at $1,467 US dollars, indicating a sudden 98.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at $77,063 US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 57.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Fiji in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, India was the primary source for Fiji's paddy rice imports by value, accounting for 79.9% of total import flows. Other markets collectively formed a long tail of smaller trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Fiji in value, 2017-2020