Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Fiji

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Fiji grew from 40 900 tons in 2018 to a peak of 52 030 tons in 2021, before declining to 40 760 tons in 2022 and recovering slightly to 41 390 tons in 2023. The increase in 2020 and 2021 was driven by higher imports, while the contraction in 2022 coincided with a push for greater self-sufficiency. Local production more than doubled from 3 127 tons in 2019 to 6 184 tons in 2022, supported by government initiatives.

A key driver of domestic output was the construction of a new rice mill at Nailaga station in Ba during 2022, which enhanced processing capacity and reduced logistical bottlenecks for western division farmers. Fiji Rice Limited also contracted over 400 growers that year, directly expanding the cultivation base. These measures followed the 2018 rebranding of Rewa Rice to Fiji Rice PTE Limited, which refocused the company on high-quality brown rice and rice-based products.

Imports, which supply the bulk of the market, fluctuated under the influence of global food‑price movements and exchange‑rate shifts, notably falling in volume and value during 2022. The Ministry of Agriculture’s policy of having Fiji Rice Limited purchase all locally produced rice guaranteed farmers a market, yet import dependency remained high, with self‑sufficiency around 20%. The tourism sector was identified as a potential growth avenue for local rice products.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Fiji

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of decline, Fiji's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice rebounded in 2020. That year, Fiji produced 4,465 tonnes, marking a substantial 42.8% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 8.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 3,127 tonnes, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2018 with a 20.8% decrease.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Fiji

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Fiji exported 357 tonnes of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, representing a significant 13.0% decline from the previous year. The export volume reached its lowest point in 2018 at 288 tonnes, while it peaked in 2019 at 411 tonnes. The most pronounced decrease was observed in 2018 with a 19.6% drop, whereas the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 42.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, and Tonga consistently served as the primary destinations for Fiji's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in volume terms. Tuvalu accounted for 29.6% of exports, Cook Islands for 18.4%, and Tonga for 14.4%. Together, these three markets represented 62.4% of total 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, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Fiji's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms declined in 2020. Exports amounted to 363,000 US dollars that year, reflecting a robust 16.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 436,000 US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 13.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, and Nauru were the main destinations for Fiji's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms. Tuvalu held a 42.9% share of exports, Cook Islands 14.7%, and Nauru 10.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 68.3% of total export value 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 semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Fiji

Imports in kind, t

Fiji's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in volume terms reached 40,049 tonnes in 2020, showing a notable 13.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 35,444 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Thailand dominated Fiji's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in volume terms, jointly accounting for 87.9% of total imports. The remaining volume was distributed among various smaller 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 imported semi-milled or wholly milled rice valued at 363,000 US dollars, indicating a strong 24.1% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports in value terms rose by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 9.3% drop.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Vietnam and Thailand remained the principal sources for Fiji's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms, together capturing 85.1% of total import flows. Other trading partners each contributed significantly smaller shares.

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

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