Due to a challenging growing season in New Zealand – supermarkets in Fiji have consequently experienced shortage of supply of onions.
This was stated by the Ministry of External Trade who says this is caused by unfavourable weather conditions and this supply chain disruption has resulted in a hike in onion price, costing nearly $2 more for the same period a year ago.
A recent product and market analysis by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission reveals there is a significant price hike for onions.
After assessing the market, the Consumer Council of Fiji has stated that this transitory issue will be normalised in a few weeks, whereby consumers can be reassured the supply of onions will be restored in shops and supermarkets.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for External Trade, Manoa Kamikamica says since September 2022, New Zealand has announced continuous increase in the cost of food products, compounded by a high demand for fruits and agricultural goods alongside influence of unfavourable weather, pressure from worldwide shortages, growing cost of production fertiliser and packaging, which have contributed to the unfavourable situation.
He says several traders in Fiji have imported onions from the United States throughout the holiday season to fulfil local demand, incurring additional freight costs – inevitably reaching consumers through hiked prices in shops and supermarkets.
Kamikamica says however, the Government of Fiji is working closely with the New Zealand Commerce Commission to monitor the situation in order to determine the most effective solution to the shortfall.
He adds in the interim, the Ministry is taking all proactive measures to mitigate the impact felt by consumers – collaborating with the FCCC and the Consumer Council to ensure traders do not violate consumer protection provisions outlined in the FCCC Act of 2010 – especially in regards to overcharging.
Kamikamica says more broadly, the new Government will start exploring diversification of sources of key commodities such as onions, where possible in the medium term.
