Rice market in Fiji

Earlier Report Observations

The rice market in Fiji showed considerable volatility in volume between 2018 and 2023. Consumption grew from 47,283 tonnes in 2018 to a high of 57,890 tonnes in 2021, an expansion driven largely by increased imports, which supplied over 49,000 tonnes that year.

This growth reversed in 2022, with the market volume contracting to 47,790 tonnes. A slight recovery to 48,250 tonnes followed in 2023. Domestic production fluctuated significantly, peaking at 13,356 tonnes in 2022 before falling by nearly half the next year, while exports grew from a minimal base to nearly 3,000 tonnes by 2023.

In value terms, the market mirrored this pattern, rising to USD 37.9 million in 2021, declining in 2022, and then recovering to USD 38.8 million in 2023.

Production rice in Fiji

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of rice, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, rice production in Fiji increased in 2020. That year, Fiji produced 8 847 tonnes of rice, representing a sharp 34.3% increase compared to 2019. 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, while the largest year-on-year drop occurred in 2018 with a 22.4% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of decrease, the value of rice production in Fiji rose in 2020. In that year, rice output was valued at 9 799 thousand US dollars, marking a 32.7% increase from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 385 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 16.0% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Fiji in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports rice from Fiji

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Fiji exported 452 tonnes of rice, which was 2.2% less than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 382 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 462 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 7.0% drop, and the largest increase was in 2019 with a 21.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Fiji in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, three main markets—Tuvalu, Cook Islands, and Tonga—collectively accounted for 63.2% of Fiji's total rice exports by volume.

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, K $ US

After two years of growth, rice exports from Fiji declined in 2020. That year, exports totaled 501 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual 3.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 15.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 518 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 9.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Fiji's rice exports by value were Tuvalu (46.5% of exports), Cook Islands (11.6%), and Nauru (8.8%). Together, these three markets accounted for 66.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports rice to Fiji

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Fiji's rice imports reached 41 710 tonnes, representing a 10.5% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 7.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 37 739 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.1% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Fiji in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Vietnam and Thailand were the primary sources for Fiji's rice imports by volume, together accounting for 87.7% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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, K $ US

In 2020, Fiji's rice imports amounted to 23 781 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong 20.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports rose by 20.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 19 722 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 10.6% from the previous year.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Vietnam and Thailand remained the key partner countries for Fiji's rice imports by value, with a combined share of 84.7% of total flows; other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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