Fiji

Potato cultivation in Fiji, though still limited, has been gradually expanding due to government initiatives aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on imported potatoes from Australia and New Zealand.

As a tropical South Pacific nation comprising over 300 islands, Fiji’s climate is generally less suitable for temperate crops like potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). However, targeted efforts since around 2010 have focused on promoting potato farming in cooler, high-altitude regions such as Nadarivatu and the Sigatoka Valley in Viti Levu, as well as select upland areas in Vanua Levu. These areas benefit from fertile volcanic soils and relatively lower temperatures, which support small-scale, seasonal cultivation. Farmers typically plant potatoes between May and August—the coolest months of the year—to improve yields and reduce disease pressure.

Commonly grown potato varieties include Atlantic and Desiree, both selected for their adaptability and disease resistance. While local production remains modest and Fiji continues to import the bulk of its potatoes, including those used for local potato chip manufacturing, domestic cultivation is contributing to rural incomes and supporting the national goal of greater agricultural self-sufficiency.