Wood in the rough market in Fiji

Earlier Report Observations

The Fijian wood in the rough market from 2018 to 2023 was underpinned by a stable domestic production volume consistently around 544 thousand tonnes annually. This steadiness was supported by a sector dominated by two influential state-owned companies, Tropik Woods Fiji Limited and Fiji Hardwood Corporation Limited, operating within a long-established national logging code and sustainable forest management policy aimed at environmental protection and local economic development.

The market's value exhibited more volatility, peaking at over $159 million in 2021. A key development occurred in 2022 as the government initiated a major legislative overhaul, the first in decades, to modernize harvesting and management rules. This period also saw the economic maturation of mahogany plantations, creating significant new timber supply opportunities for local landowners.

A sharp 84% drop in the value of rough wood exports in 2023 increased the volume of timber available domestically, raising the internal market size to 545 thousand tonnes. Concurrently, the government advanced its sustainable forestry agenda, promoting product diversification and regional collaboration on a 'Pan Pacific' sustainability standard, with updated laws in 2024 focusing on traceability and certification to secure international market access.

Production wood in the rough in Fiji

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

World map of production of wood in the rough, 2017-2020

In 2020, Fiji produced 544.1 thousand tonnes of wood in the rough, showing no significant change compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

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

Exports wood in the rough from Fiji

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1 043 tonnes, then peaked in 2017, resulting in a 3.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Fiji exported 2 174 tonnes of wood in the rough, which represents a 108.4% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 49.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, the Dominican Republic, and China were consistently the main destinations for Fiji's wood in the rough exports in kind. Japan accounted for 32.4% of exports, the Dominican Republic for 25.6%, and China for 14.4%, together making up 72.4% of total flows.

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 reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports in value terms fell to their lowest point in 2019 at 238.1 thousand US dollars, then hit their maximum in 2017, showing a threefold swing. In 2020, wood in the rough exports from Fiji stood at 615.4 thousand US dollars, marking an abrupt increase of 158.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 45.8%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the Dominican Republic, Japan, and China led as the top buyers of wood in the rough from Fiji in value terms. The Dominican Republic and Japan each accounted for 29.7% of exports, while China represented 17.3%, with their combined share reaching 76.7% of total exports.

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

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

Imports wood in the rough to Fiji

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018 at 943 tonnes, showing a 69-fold swing. In 2020, Fiji's wood in the rough imports totalled 183 tonnes, reflecting a contraction of 2.1% over the past year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 80.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 6 785.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand and Indonesia were the dominant suppliers of wood in the rough to Fiji in kind, together accounting for 98.9% of total imports. Other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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 exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values dropped to a minimum in 2017, then climbed to their maximum in 2018 at 97.9 thousand US dollars, resulting in an 11-fold shift. In 2020, Fiji imported 67.9 thousand US dollars of wood in the rough, reflecting a rise of 1.9% versus the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 32.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1 004.3%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Indonesia and New Zealand formed a dominant pair of markets for Fiji's wood in the rough imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 90.7% of total flows, with other countries making up the residual share.

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

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