Fiji's Agriculture Minister says he's focused on reversing the growing trade imbalance with New Zealand.
Fiji's Agriculture Minister Inia Seruiratu with Fiji's Honorary Consul in Auckland Harish Lodhia Photo: Alex Perrottet / RNZ
Inia Seruiratu is visiting Auckland and spoke at a fresh produce forum today, and said the deficit has grown from an annual US$207 million to US$280 million since 2011.
He said the increase demand for goods in Fiji justifies the growing number of imports, but he said there was huge potential to boost exports to New Zealand.
Mr Seruiratu said the problem had been farmers in Fiji not being able to produce consistently throughout the year.
"Those people need food everyday and we need to be consistent in our supply levels as well. Volume is another big issue as well, for us to meet the expectations we need to produce the volumes as well."
"And quality, we need to produce good quality products because we are competing with other market exporters and suppliers as well," he said.
