Fiji

FIJI Post-Disaster Needs Assessment
the commerce subsector arising from primary losses in the agriculture, livestock and fisheries subsectors. A good number
of large retail outlets and the majority of wholesalers surveyed had insurance coverage. Most of the damage occurred in
commercial establishments located in the Western and Northern Divisions.
The total value of disaster effects for the commerce sector is estimated as F$10.4 million, of which F$2.5 million refers to
the value of destroyed assets, and F$7.9 million represents decline in sales, as shown in Table 27.
Manufacturing: For the manufacturing sector, information was obtained through a sample survey on: the estimated value
of destroyed physical assets, including premises, equipment and machinery, stocks of raw materials for processing, and
stocks of finished goods; and the value of stoppage or slowdown of production and sales and other operation-related
problems (including the absence of electricity and employees). In some cases, businesses underwent higher production
costs due to increased transport and electricity costs. Businesses which depended primarily on produce reported significant
losses, in particular, in the pearl industry, where the only manufacturer highlighted a limited supply forecast resulting from
massive damage to all pearl farms across Fiji. A total of 70 individual manufacturing companies from the Western, Northern
and Central Divisions submitted their responses to the survey.
In addition to production losses, a total of 554 short-term job losses in the formal sector was reported in manufacturing
companies during the two weeks after the cyclone. The jobs were reinitiated once the electricity supply was fully restored.
No employment or livelihood losses were reported in the informal sector.
The sugar milling industry was also heavily affected. Milling facilities located in in the Western Division were significantly
damaged, in particular the Penang Mill in Rakiraki, the Rarawai Mill in Ba and the Lautoka Mill. In addition, the rail network
for carting cane was damaged. Impact on production due to temporary closure of the Penang Mill, the anticipated shortage
of sugar cane, and higher energy and transport costs contributed to the losses. Total damage to sugar manufacturing
stands at F$60.2 million and production losses were estimated at F$42.8 million.
In addition, a comprehensive survey conducted by the National Centre for Small and Micro Enterprises Development found
that 272 enterprises were affected. In addition, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism (MITT) conducted a survey
revealing that 1,857 clients incurred damage to fixed assets (furniture, fittings, equipment and stock) and production
losses. The types of businesses affected included canteens, roadside stalls, market vendors, barbershops, catering, grass
cutting and handicrafts. Based on field surveys, an estimated 84 out of the 443 registered communally owned cooperatives
also recorded damage and losses.
The total value of disaster effects for the manufacturing subsector are estimated at F$132.4 million, of which F$70.4 million
refer to the value of destroyed assets, and F$62.0 million represent the value of production decline, as shown in Table 27.
Table 27: Damage and Losses in Commerce and Manufacturing by Subsector (F$ million)
Commerce
Damage Losses Total Effects
Public Private Total Public Private Total Public Private Total
Wholesale and retail trade 2.5 2.5 7.9 7.9 10.4 10.4
Manufacturing
Sugar milling 40.9 19.3 60.2 29.1 13.7 42.8 70.1 33.0 103.1
Processing of non-sugar food and
non-food products
Informal sector SME
manufacturing
6.8 6.8 8.0 8.0 14.7 14.7
3.4 3.4 11.2 11.2 14.6 14.6
Manufacturing subtotal 40.9 29.5 70.4 29.1 32.9 62.0 70.1 62.3 132.4
Total 40.9 32.0 72.9 29.1 40.8 69.9 70.1 72.7 142.8
Source: Estimations by Assessment Team.
Note: Small and medium enterprises are considered informal sector activities that contribute to the manufacturing sector, as treated in the
classification of national accounts for Fiji. Small and medium enterprises and cooperative businesses are considered informal sector activities
that contribute to the commerce sector, as treated in the classification of national accounts for Fiji. However, figures on these damage and
losses were not readily available at the time of the assessment. They have subsequently been made available and were estimated to total
F$2.07 million in damage and F$5.98 million in losses.
Tropical Cyclone Winston, February 20, 2016
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