The Fiji Pine Group has taken these challenging times as an opportunity to restrategise and refresh on how they do their business.
In a statement, group chairman Ratu Wiliame Katonivere said forestry was a unique and challenging business.
“We make significant investments annually into pine planting and then have to wait for 20 to 25 years for the trees to mature to realize the returns out of it,” Ratu Wiliame said.
“COVID-19 has made things more challenging this year as we face one of the most challenging times in the history of the pine industry.”
He said Tropik Woods Industries had exported three major shipments of woodchips this year although the price was on downward trend.
“Tropik is working hand in hand with its traditional buyer from Japan to meet the export volume obligations.”
He added Fiji Pine had also made a mark on Fiji’s renewable energy sector.
“Tropik is the largest IPP in the country through biomass power plant meeting 6 to 12 per cent of Viti Levu’s power demand in peak and off-peak levels.
“Significant investment and work has been put in to get to where we are today. However, biomass power plant is a highly risky and costly venture.”
