At today’s Agriculture Mini Trade Forum held at the Sofitel Resort in Nadi, participants were reminded that the future of trade is shaped not only by policies and markets—but by the voices of those within the value chain.

Participants were reminded that stakeholders’ insights and lived experiences are critical to driving meaningful progress and fostering genuine collaboration

This message was powerfully echoed by Mr. Nacanieli Waqa, representative from New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries, who underscored the importance of inclusive dialogue in shaping resilient and innovative supply chains across the Pacific.

“Voices shape the future of trade and foster trust and collaboration in the Pacific,” Mr. Waqa stated.

He highlighted that every actor in the chain—from farmer to exporter, regulator to buyer—has distinct needs and perspectives, and it is essential that these are not only heard, but respected and integrated into trade development strategies.

“This forum is designed to ensure inclusive participation and to honour the voices of all stakeholders,” he added.

"In the Pacific, the concept of ‘voice’ is not just symbolic, but deeply rooted in cultural identity."

Mr. Waqa further stressed that building strong domestic trade systems fosters a culture of quality and compliance from the ground up.

"It encourages a market-responsive mindset that supports entrepreneurs, promotes sustainability, and strengthens the broader economy."

He noted that this inclusive approach also helps lower compliance costs and boosts demand for high-quality local products.

Sharing trade statistics between Fiji and New Zealand, Mr. Waqa revealed that while the value of Fiji’s agricultural exports to New Zealand rose from FJ$21.2 million in 2014 to FJ$35.2 million in 2024, the overall volume of exports has declined by 40%.

“This signals a clear need for better alignment between supply and actual market demand,” he said.

He concluded by affirming that the Agriculture Mini Trade Forum is a timely response to this need—a platform not only to connect but to co-design solutions that benefit every link in the value chain.

“Let us continue to shape the future of Pacific trade—together.”

Ends

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