Increase local production to reduce imports of fresh fruit

Fiji wants to increase domestic production and reduce imports of fresh fruits, including grapes, oranges, apples, pears and kiwis which have replaced locally grown tropical fruits in the domestic market.

 

According to Agriculture Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy, Fiji has the potential to reduce the value of fresh fruit imports by more than FJD 24 million (USD 11.390 million). The Minister spoke at the event which saw the official installation of 45 new farmers, beneficiaries of aid under the 2021-22 program for fruit trees.

 

The ministry will provide budgetary and technical support to beneficiaries, including land preparation, provision of agricultural inputs and planting material, as well as regular advisory services. The fruit tree orchards that will be set up on the 45 selected sites are as follows: banana, orange, avocado, breadfruit, jackfruit, coconut, mangosteen and rambutans.

 

Hotels and resorts in major tourist areas spend over FDJ 74 million (USD 35.120 million) to purchase fresh produce, including fruit, of which 52%, or over FDJ 38.5 million (USD 18.272 million) ) were spent on imported items. Especially for grapes, oranges, apples, pears and kiwis.

 

These imported fruits have replaced, in hotels but also in supermarkets across the country, locally grown fruits such as guava, mango, avocado and tangerine.

 

source : fijivillage.com, fbcnews.com.fj