Unmanufactured tobacco and refuse market in Fiji

Earlier Report Observations

The market for unmanufactured tobacco in Fiji grew from 479 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 523 thousand tonnes in 2019. This increase coincided with a government crackdown on illicit tobacco trade, which likely shifted some consumption to the legal market and supported registered sales.

From 2020 onward, the market volume contracted sharply, falling to 381 thousand tonnes that year after Fiji banned smoking in indoor public spaces such as healthcare facilities and restaurants. The decline continued, reaching 324 thousand tonnes in 2021 and 308 thousand tonnes in 2022, when Parliament enacted amendments to the Tobacco Control Act to further strengthen regulatory measures.

By 2023, the market had decreased to 229 thousand tonnes. In 2024, Fiji's participation in regional health initiatives and the adoption of updated International Health Regulations signaled ongoing policy support for stringent tobacco control, aligning with the broader downward trend in market volume.

Production unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in Fiji

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

World map of production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse, 2017-2020

Fiji's production of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 381.3 tonnes, marking an 8.3% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 16.7%, with an average annual decline of 5.9%. The highest production level was in 2018 at 465.2 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 10.6% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 1.6%.

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

Exports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse from Fiji

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a dramatic 11 345-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Fiji's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse dropped to 0.0 tonnes, a 100.0% year-on-year decrease. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 22.7 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 349.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia was the clear leader in Fiji's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse by volume, accounting for 80.8% of total flows. Other countries each held much smaller shares.

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

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. Exports reached their highest value in 2019 and their lowest in 2020, with a 7 325-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Fiji's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse totaled 0.0 thousand US dollars, a 100.0% decrease compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 202.7 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 311.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Indonesia dominated Fiji's exports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse in value terms, holding 76.1% of the total. The remaining volume was distributed among many other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Fiji

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports were highest in 2019 and lowest in 2018, with a 3.5-fold gap between these years. In 2019, Fiji's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse surged to 127.3 tonnes, a sharp 251.7% increase from the previous year. The minimum import volume was in 2018 at 36.2 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 66.8%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Singapore was the dominant partner for Fiji's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse by volume, with a 72.8% share of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller amounts, forming a long tail.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports peaked in 2019 and reached their trough in 2018, showing a 2.6-fold gap. In 2019, Fiji's imports of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse were recorded at 873.4 thousand US dollars, a 160.9% year-on-year increase. The minimum value was in 2018 at 334.7 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 57.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore was the main supplier of unmanufactured tobacco and refuse to Fiji in value terms, taking 79.3% of total imports. Other partners had relatively modest shares.

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

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