Increase in agriculture export earnings in the first half of 2020 despite the COVID-19 crisis

The Agriculture Ministry increased its export earnings by 11% in the first half of this year despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

While speaking at the Fiji Farmers Forum in Nadi, Minister for Agriculture Doctor Mahendra Reddy says the Ministry had increased its export earnings from $24.1 million in January to June 2019 to $26.8 million for the same period this year.

Dr Reddy says their efforts over the last 18 months are now showing results and there is no denying that production has increased.

He says over the first six months of this year, exports of fresh and chilled produce increased by 15%, from $4.9 million in 2019 to $5.7 million in 2020.

The Minister adds that on this front, they could achieve an annual export figure of $60 million by the end of the year, however, they would like to raise this to $100 million within two years.

Dr Reddy says the Ministry fully understands the impact of COVID- 19 and the demand for Agriculture growth as the backbone of Fiji’s economy.

He further says their paradigm shift has pushed the Ministry to another level to formulate plans and strategy that will not only sustain us through this pandemic but it will enable us to bounce back better than before.