28 October 2005
Fiji Fiji’s total exports to the United States declined by nearly 20 per cent in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period in 2004.
Figures released by the US Department of Commerce recently, show total exports from Fiji to the US for January–July 2005 dropped to $US 90.3m from $US 117.5m in 2004, a decrease of $US 27.2m or 19%.
The decline is largely because of a significant reduction in garment exports, which dropped to $US 16.2m from $US 48.7m – a decrease of $US 32.5m or 67%.
The decline in garment exports is compensated by elevated tuna exports, mainly pre-cooked albacore tuna loins from PAFCO, as Fiji’s largest exports to the US. This totaled $US 36.5m in the first seven months of this year which is an increase of 7% compared to the same period last year.
