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| Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand |

| Impact Report |

Exploring the impact of Fairtrade on the Fijian Sugar Industry | 2011–2016

Report produced by 2iis from September – November 2017.

Fairtrade Sugar in Fiji: Impact Report (Summary)

The 'Fairtrade Sugar in Fiji' report explores the impact of Fairtrade on Fiji’s Sugar Cane Farmers and their Communities since initial Certification in 2011, as well as its role within the Sugar Industry and broader Economy.

 

Based on the draft findings of field and desk research undertaken by RMI Services Ltd and the Overseas Development Institute between mid–2015 and 2017, the report also includes additional research and analysis undertaken by 2iis Consulting from September to November 2017.

 

Whilst Fairtrade Certification only began in Fiji in 2011, the report finds that much has already been achieved despite the challenging operating environment that the Sugar Industry has faced in that time. An environment that has included two devastating Cyclones, El Niño induced drought, the significant reduction of Fairtrade purchasing by a key buyer and high levels of ongoing volatility in global sugar markets.

 

Between 2011–2016, Fijian Smallholder Cane Farmers sold 234,796 Metric Tonnes of Fairtrade Sugar at a total value of €86.64 Million – 23.7% of Fiji’s total Sugar production. This led to €11.97 Million in Fairtrade Premiums being paid to the Labasa, Lautoka and Rarawai & Penang Cane Producer Associations (CPAs) ­– nearly all of whose Members have been Fairtrade Certified since 2012 (a total of 16,335 Cane Farmers in 2016).

 

The Fairtrade Premiums generated for the CPAs were used to support both improved farm productivity that contributed to increased Sugar Cane yields of up to 27.5%, and over 750 Community Projects that led to enhanced infrastructure, water availability, improved education and, ultimately, improved livelihoods for the estimated 76,775 people directly benefiting from Fairtrade Sugar in Fiji. Interviews with adult Cane Farmers indicated that children were not involved in labour on the majority of Farms surveyed and the use of the herbicide Paraquat had ceased entirely in the initial years of Fairtrade Certification.

 

These, and other, impacts collectively point to a future where by 2025 Fairtrade is generating over €14 Million per year in Economic Net Benefit for the 3 CPAs.

Whilst these initial impacts are impressive, some clear challenges exist for Fairtrade Sugar in Fiji. The most significant of these is the recent decline in sales of Fairtrade Sugar from the 2013 peak of 67,500 MT, when 37.5% of Fiji’s total Sugar production was being sold as Fairtrade. By 2016 Fairtrade sales had dropped to 15,100 MT (10.1% of total sales), with Fairtrade Premiums – and therefore overall impact – dropping accordingly. Some potential pathways to addressing these challenges are included in the report.

The 'Fairtrade Sugar in Fiji' Impact Report: Executive Summary can be viewed & downloaded by clicking on the image below.

This project is dedicated to the memory of Cleo Sherry, on whose field work this report is based. Having worked tirelessly in Fiji to complete the baseline grower research, Cleo was tragically killed in a road accident whilst travelling to her next Fairtrade research project in Swaziland in early 2017.

|  FAIRTRADE SUGAR IN FIJI: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  |

Please contact 2iis if you experience difficulties downloading the file.

PROJECT PARTNERS

Fairtrade Logo
Overseas Development Institute
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade
2iis Logo
RMI Services Ltd
Aldi Prasad & her Family, Labasa CPA | © Fairtrade
Sugarcane Field in Fiji | © Tourism Fiji
Sugarcane Harvest on Viti Levu | © Fairtrade
Sugarcane Seedlings | © Sugar Research Institute of Fiji
Cane Harvesting in Fiji | © Fairtrade ANZ
Sugarcane Fields in Viti Levu  | © Fairtrade ANZ
Rarawai & Penang CPA | © Fairtrade ANZ
The Aftermath of Cyclone Winston | © UNDP
Cane Field in Vanua Levu | © Fairtrade
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