FBC News reports that Fiji’s sugar exports to the United Kingdom are facing an uncertain future as shipments to the UK market have dropped significantly in recent years.
British High Commissioner to Fiji, Dr Brian Jones, emphasized the long-standing trade ties between the two countries, noting that sugar has been a key export since the colonial era. However, he pointed out that the UK is now sourcing sugar from larger producers such as Brazil, which can grow and process it at a much lower cost, making it harder for Fiji to compete.
“With the trade of raw sugar slowing down, the question is whether Fiji can shift its focus to sugar byproducts that are in demand in the UK,” Dr Jones said.
He suggested that Fiji could explore new avenues to maximize the value of its sugar industry. “Sugar can be turned into high-value products like rum, whisky, and other liquors, which could attract tourists and create additional revenue. It can also be processed into ethanol, which is useful for fuel and electricity production.”
Dr Jones stressed that for Fiji’s sugar industry to succeed, it must focus on efficiency and shift towards producing specialized, high-value products rather than trying to compete with bigger and cheaper sugar producers.
Meanwhile, Minister for Sugar Industry Charan Jeath Singh acknowledged that ongoing supply chain issues are affecting production.
“In the past, we used to export up to 300,000 tons of sugar to the UK, but production has fallen, and we haven’t been able to meet expectations. Despite this, the UK remains one of our sugar buyers,” Singh said.
To address the decline, Singh said the government is offering incentives to farmers to encourage them to return to sugarcane farming, which has led to a small increase in production.
