Fiji Dairy Output Meets Only Quarter of National Demand

Fiji’s dairy industry is producing only about 25 percent of the country’s milk demand, with the rest supplied through imports.

Fiji Dairy Cooperative Limited Chief Executive Vimal Chand said the sector is facing challenges including declining cattle numbers, higher production costs, climate change and difficulties rebuilding herds after disease outbreaks.

Chand said outbreaks of brucellosis and tuberculosis led to the mass slaughter of cattle in 2009, causing a major drop in the country’s dairy herd and milk production.

He said annual milk production fell from about 10 million litres to roughly three million litres before gradually recovering to around six million litres.

The number of dairy farmers has also dropped from about 220 to around 180.

Chand said most farmers are smallholders, while a smaller group of bulk producers accounts for most of the milk supplied to the market.

He added that farmers are facing higher costs for feed, fuel and transportation.

According to Chand, feed alone accounts for about half of total farm costs, putting additional pressure on dairy producers.

He said rebuilding cattle numbers remains one of the biggest challenges facing Fiji’s dairy industry.