Fiji - Agriculture

In 2001, agriculture comprised about 30% of Fiji's export earnings. More than three-quarters of all households engage in agriculture, livestock production, forestry, or fishing. A total of 285,000 ha (704,000 acres), or over 15.6% of Fiji's area, was used for crop production in 1998. Sugarcane production was 4,398,000 tons in 1999. In 2001, sugar exports accounted for about 21% ($112.2 million) of total exports and 70% of agricultural exports. Fijians retain legal ownership of the lands, but Indians farm it and produce about 90% of Fiji's sugar. In 1995, the average sugarcane farm was four ha (9.9 acres), produced 183 tons of cane, and made F $9.810. Cane is processed into raw sugar and molasses by the Fiji Sugar Corporation, which is 68% owned by the government. The sugar industry is vital to the national economy; as such, the government plays a leading role in all aspects of its production and sale.

Production of copra and coconuts in 1999 was 12,000 tons and 209,000 tons, respectively; paddy rice output was 18,000 tons. Corn, tobacco, cocoa, ginger, pineapples, bananas, watermelons, and other fruits and vegetables are also grown.