Fiji’s
bottled water tops export earnings
Fiji’s renowned
bottled artesian water continues to top the export earning table with
the first quarter of 2008 recording $18.57 million (US$12.46m) in
earnings, a significant 125 per cent growth.
When you have a
home in Fiji, you can enjoy Fiji Water right from the source.
Compared to the same period last year, Fiji Water exports earned $8.21
million (US$5.53m).
 The
Fiji Water product is among five other export commodities that all
recorded good growth for the first quarter this year.
Exports in the 2008 first quarter earned Fiji $47.02 million (US$31.64),
an increase of 52 per cent over the $30.80 million (US$20.73m) for first
quarter last year.
While the Fiji Trade Commission in Los Angeles place US as Fiji’s most
important export market, it has emphasised the need for consistent
supply of export commodities from Fiji.
Trade Commissioner to the US Ilisoni Vuidreketi said: “There remains a
lot of room for expanding our export to this market but the challenge
lies at the supply (Fiji) side. We need to continue strengthening our
export capacities, both in product range and quality, to suit the almost
unlimited market demand that exist here”.
He highlighted statistics from the US Foreign Trade division of Fiji’s
top six exports to the US for the first quarter 2008 over the same
period 2007:
i) Tuna Loins – 50 per cent growth from $11.67 million (US$7.85m)
million to $17.43 million (US$11.73m).
ii) Mineral water – 125 per cent growth from $8.22 million (US$5.53m)
to $18.58 million (US$12.46m).
iii) Fish (fresh and frozen) – 18 per cent growth from $2.57 million
(US$1.72m) to$3.03 million (US$2.04m).
iv) Timber (mahogany) – 70 per cent growth from $876,198 (US$589,596)
to $1.49 million (US$1m).
v) Taro, cassava & agro-produce – 7.2 per cent growth from $831,135
(US$559,273) to $831,440 (US$599,478).
vi) Natural oils, perfumery – 87 per cent growth from $334,992
(US$225,417) to $626,547 (US$421,605).
Vuidreketi said the total earnings from only two products - tuna loins
and mineral water, was $35.67 million (US$24m) during this quarter - a
76 percent share of total exports to this market.
“Fiji should not rely on a few exports but encourage and promote the
diversification of export industries that will spread the benefits to
all sectors and communities,” he said.
Vuidreketi said small, medium and micro enterprises (SMEs) held the
potential to accelerate expansion and diversification of Fiji’s export
industries, adding adequate support resources needed to be directed at
assisting these industries to be more export oriented and export-ready.
During this same period, Fiji’s export to Australia was US$26.25 million
whilst exports to New Zealand totaled US$11.32 million.
(2008/05)
originally published on
www.fijilive.com
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