Demand For Local-Grown

Produce Declines In Fiji

ALTHOUGH orders for the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables to the military forces in Fiji fell off con siderably towards the end of 1943, the following heavy deliveries were made for the whole of that year;

Fijians produced approximately 85 per cent, of the fruit; Chinese and Indians 12 per cent.; and the balance came from the CSR Company and the Wainiloka (Ovalau) pineapple estates.

Indians supplied 45 per cent, of the vegetables; Chinese 35 per cent.; and Fijians 20 per cent. Fijians produced 90 per cent, of the root vegetables; the bal ance being grown by Indian farmers.

When orders fell off at the end of 1943, the Ba collecting depot was closed; the Sigatoka depot also closed down, in January, except for fruit. Contraction of demand coincided with the season when vegetable production declines, naturally, and Agricultural Officers were able to give early notices of cancellation to growers who were working under the scheme of guaranteed markets and prices.

Where produce has been dejivered to depots where a demand no longer exists, it has been almost impossible to find alternate outlets for it. Diversion to hotels has been attempted in the Western Division, and agricultural officials are trying to arrange a municipal market in Lautoka, where good vegetables are in demand.

lb. £ Fruit 5,678,338 35,000 Vegetables 5,336,428 40,000 Root Vegetables .. 4,509,830 15,000 Total 15,524,596 £90,000