Sugar cane market in Fiji

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, Fiji's sugar cane production increased from 1 697 тыс. т to 1 806 тыс. т, supported by government incentive programs for industry modernization and the Fiji Sugar Corporation's expansion of milling capacity following its takeover of assets from the Colonial Sugar Refining Company. The market then contracted, falling to 1 726 тыс. т in 2020 as COVID-19 disrupted harvest logistics, labor availability, and equipment maintenance, while long-term structural issues like soaring transport costs and a declining farmer base pressured output. A further sharp decline to 1 417 тыс. т occurred in 2021 due to ongoing operational challenges in crop delivery and maintenance, even with continued state-guaranteed cane price support.

Production partially recovered to 1 639 тыс. т in 2022. However, in 2023, output eased to 1 566 тыс. т despite record-high global sugar export prices, which boosted the Fiji Sugar Corporation's revenue. This slight decrease was primarily due to difficulties in manual harvesting, payment delays to growers, and the sector's reliance on rainfed cultivation susceptible to climatic conditions. In response, the government implemented supportive measures, including setting a record cane price of $101.13 per tonne for the 2024 crop.

Production sugar cane in Fiji

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sugar cane, 2017-2020

World map of production of sugar cane, 2017-2020

Fiji's sugar cane production saw a two-year period of growth before declining. In 2020, production reached 1 726 thousand tonnes, representing a 4.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production increased by 5.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 806 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.4%.

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

Exports sugar cane from Fiji

Exports in kind, kg

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. In 2019, Fiji's sugar cane exports reached their peak at 4 310 kg, but then dropped sharply to 619 kg in 2020 - an 85.6% decline. The difference between these high and low points was sevenfold. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 103.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand served as the primary and nearly exclusive market for Fiji's sugar cane exports, accounting for 98.5% of total export volumes.

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 market showed considerable volatility during this period. Export values reached their lowest point in 2018 at 563 US dollars, then peaked in 2019 at 3 339 US dollars - a 5.9-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, export values declined to 610 US dollars, representing an 81.7% decrease from the previous year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019 at 492.6%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, New Zealand remained the dominant and nearly exclusive destination for Fiji's sugar cane exports in value terms, accounting for 99.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports sugar cane to Fiji

Market reports indicate that Fiji did not import any sugar cane between 2017 and 2020.