Minister Bainivalu Calls for Stronger Global Timber Supply Chains
Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Hon. Alitia Bainivalu has called for stronger global timber supply chains, particularly for small island nations like Fiji.
Speaking at a forestry conference hosted by the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) in Macao, China yesterday, Minister Bainivalu highlighted the pressing challenges facing the forestry industry, including climate change and the reduction of forest cover globally.
“Ten thousand years ago, forests covered 57% of the Earth’s land. Today, due to development, this has reduced to 38%. The loss of forests not only harms the environment but also threatens the global supply of wood and other forest products,” Hon. Bainivalu said.
She noted that in 2022, the forestry and logging sector contributed FJ$31.1 million, representing 0.3% of Fiji’s GDP.
Minister Bainivalu added that Fiji has been fortunate to have invested in fast-growing pine and mahogany plantations well before gaining independence in 1970.
“This foresight led to the establishment of two plantation companies, jointly owned by the government and landowners, ensuring a steady supply of timber,” she said.
Despite these achievements, Minister Bainivalu acknowledged that significant challenges remain.
“Climate change is disrupting traditional patterns of wet and dry seasons, complicating tree planting and harvesting schedules,” she said.
The honourable minister expressed concerns over the growing risk of forest fires and the potential impact of changing weather patterns on Fiji’s pine and mahogany plantations.
“Another key issue is land ownership. Most of Fiji’s forests are located on land owned by local communities, which can complicate efforts to expand plantations. Maintaining strong relationships with landowners is crucial for long-term stability,” she said.
Hon. Bainivalu also announced ambitious plans to double Fiji’s mahogany production over the next 18-24 months.
“This will require improvements in plantation management, including securing Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and upgrading processing facilities to produce high-quality products for the market,” she said.
Minister Bainivalu encouraged potential partners to collaborate with Fiji in areas such as climate change, land management, and sustainable forestry practices.
“We welcome partnerships with anyone who shares our vision for a more sustainable timber industry,” she said.
The conference, which brought together forestry experts and business leaders from around the world, served as a platform to exchange ideas and address the issues affecting the global timber trade.
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