PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 4:20 PM by Tevita

Food dependency grows

From : Fiji Times

Thursday, May 22, 2008

FIJI continues to remain highly dependent on imported staple food, according to the latest Market Watch survey.

The weekly information on agricultural prices compiled by the Primary Industries Ministry and Information shows that last year, 32,000 tonnes of rice valued at $24.5million were imported.

These were consistently cheaper in price than domestic produce.

Accordingly to Market Watch, the price of rice has jumped over the past few months from about $1.25 a kilogram to $1.48 in the Suva area.

It's expected the price will continue to rise over the year and possibly beyond.

Likewise potatoes, cassava, taro, and flour have all been subjected to significant price jumps.

The survey shows that due to the sheer scale of production among the world's largest producers, production costs were lower than those faced among Fiji's producers.

Fiji is also 100 per cent dependent on wheat and maize. Imports in 2007 were 79,000 tonnes and 83 tonnes respectively.

"Unless Fiji's population is able to substitute these products for locally-available produce, Fiji will continue to remain highly dependent on imports and subsequent fluctuations in world prices," according to Market Watch.

Although Fiji does not grow potatoes, other root crops such as cassava, taro and yam all grow successfully, to the extent that taro is now a thriving export product.

Cassava and taro are entering the processed food industry as chips.

"Regretfully, these products are experiencing price increases in the face of rising costs of transportation, farm inputs, inflation, and increased costs of living.

"Under these circumstances, it is important the Government takes a lead role in developing the agricultural sector."

Market Watch said local staple foods are cheaper than cereals if one compares the costs with weight, and that both taro and cassava have greater nutritional value than rice.

More root crops sold
Wednesday, May 21, 2008

MARKET vendors have noticed a shift in buying habits which they think might be the effect of rising prices of manufactured and processed foods.

Vendors at the Suva and Raiwaqa markets yesterday said they noticed that all ethnic groups were now buying more root crops.

Raiwaqa Market vendor Anaseini Ledua said the demand for root crops like cassava was much higher than that for green vegetables. Ms Ledua buys vegetables off farmers from Tailevu, Naitasiri and Sigatoka.

"I go to the Suva Market early in the morning and buy from the farmers who come and sell to the vendors at the Suva Market," she said.

Ms Ledua buys one or two bags of cassava at $25-$30. "Recently root crops are in demand," she said.

Vendor Uday Singh, from Sakoca, in Nausori, also said the demand for root crops surpassed that for vegetables.

He said all ethnic groups now bought root crops.

Mr Singh said the demand for root crops might be the result of the recent increases in the prices of flour and rice.



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DIVA-GIS	Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Posted 4:20 PM by Tevita Food dependency grows From : Fiji Times Thursday, May 22, 2008 FIJI continues to remain highly dependent on imported staple food, according to the latest Market Watch survey. The weekly information on agricultural prices compiled by the Primary Industries Ministry and Information shows that last year, 32,000 tonnes of rice valued at $24.5million were imported. These were consistently cheaper in price than domestic produce. Accordingly to Market Watch, the price of rice has jumped over the past few months from about $1.25 a kilogram to $1.48 in the Suva area. It's expected the price will continue to rise over the year and possibly beyond. Likewise potatoes, cassava, taro, and flour have all been subjected to significant price jumps. The survey shows that due to the sheer scale of production among the world's largest producers, production costs were lower than those faced among Fiji's producers. Fiji is also 100 per cent dependent on wheat and maize. Imports in 2007 were 79,000 tonnes and 83 tonnes respectively. "Unless Fiji's population is able to substitute these products for locally-available produce, Fiji will continue to remain highly dependent on imports and subsequent fluctuations in world prices," according to Market Watch. Although Fiji does not grow potatoes, other root crops such as cassava, taro and yam all grow successfully, to the extent that taro is now a thriving export product. Cassava and taro are entering the processed food industry as chips. "Regretfully, these products are experiencing price increases in the face of rising costs of transportation, farm inputs, inflation, and increased costs of living. "Under these circumstances, it is important the Government takes a lead role in developing the agricultural sector." Market Watch said local staple foods are cheaper than cereals if one compares the costs with weight, and that both taro and cassava have greater nutritional value than rice. More root crops sold Wednesday, May 21, 2008 MARKET vendors have noticed a shift in buying habits which they think might be the effect of rising prices of manufactured and processed foods. Vendors at the Suva and Raiwaqa markets yesterday said they noticed that all ethnic groups were now buying more root crops. Raiwaqa Market vendor Anaseini Ledua said the demand for root crops like cassava was much higher than that for green vegetables. Ms Ledua buys vegetables off farmers from Tailevu, Naitasiri and Sigatoka. "I go to the Suva Market early in the morning and buy from the farmers who come and sell to the vendors at the Suva Market," she said. Ms Ledua buys one or two bags of cassava at $25-$30. "Recently root crops are in demand," she said. Vendor Uday Singh, from Sakoca, in Nausori, also said the demand for root crops surpassed that for vegetables. He said all ethnic groups now bought root crops. Mr Singh said the demand for root crops might be the result of the recent increases in the prices of flour and rice. * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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