Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Fiji

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Fiji experienced notable fluctuations. Market volume rose from 51 104 t in 2018 to a peak of 60 503 t in 2022, before declining to 49 748 t in 2023. Production followed a similar pattern, reaching 87 000 t in 2022 after a period of growth and contraction.

The initial expansion was supported by the activity of the market's largest player, FMF Foods Limited, which continued to influence the sector through the expansion and diversification of its wheat-based product range. Concurrently, innovative investments in Fiji's agricultural sector provided further impetus for local cereal and flour production. A significant driver emerged in 2022 when a sharp increase in the wheat import bill—from FJD 108 million in 2021 to FJD 171 million—prompted a push to reduce reliance on imported grain, which likely stimulated domestic output. During the same period, the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission implemented controlled pricing for wheat-based products to ensure market fairness.

Following the 2022 peak, both market volume and production contracted in 2023. The market volume settled at 49 748 t, while production decreased to 78 407 t.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Fiji

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Fiji's production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 86 048 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 76 000 tonnes, marking an 11.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.6% overall, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 11.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of improvement, the value of wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in Fiji declined. In 2019, output peaked at 41 107 thousand US dollars, but in 2020 it dropped to 37 291 thousand US dollars, representing a moderate contraction of 9.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 4.1% in total, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a 9.0% rise.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Fiji

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Fiji's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals totalled 26 931 tonnes, showing a decline of 6.4% from the previous year. The lowest export volume during the period was in 2018 at 26 460 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 28 768 tonnes. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with exports rising by 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Samoa, Vanuatu, and Tonga were consistently the main destinations for Fiji's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind. Samoa accounted for 28.2% of exports, Vanuatu for 24.2%, and Tonga for 19.3%. Together, these three countries represented 71.6% 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

After two years of growth, Fiji's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in value terms declined. In 2020, export volume amounted to 13 214 thousand US dollars, showing a controlled decrease of 3.8% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 13 743 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in that same year, with a 3.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Samoa, Vanuatu, and Tonga remained the principal buyers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Fiji in value terms. Samoa's share was 27.3% of exports, Vanuatu's was 23.5%, and Tonga's was 17.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 68.5% of total exports in value over this period.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Fiji

Imports in kind, t

The market for imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Fiji showed noticeable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 82 tonnes, which is 80.6% lower than the 421 tonnes recorded in 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with imports surging by 155.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, China, and Turkey led the structure of imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in kind to Fiji. New Zealand accounted for 64.1% of imports, China for 11.4%, and Turkey for 9.8%. Together, these three countries represented 85.3% of total import flows during this period.

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

The market for imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Fiji was characterized by volatility from 2017 to 2020. Imports hit their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a threefold change over this period. In 2020, import volume amounted to 92 thousand US dollars, marking an abrupt fall of 63.2% from the 249 thousand US dollars recorded in 2019. The largest increase was in 2018, with imports rising by 78.7%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, China, and Australia were the top suppliers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Fiji in value terms. New Zealand accounted for 48.4% of imports, China for 29.0%, and Australia for 6.8%. Their combined share reached 84.2% of total imports in value during these years.

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

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