Table 5 shows the tariffs applicable to the less healthy foods selected in Figure 3. Between 1990 and 2010, tariffs on edible oils and spreads increased from 25% to 15%, with the exception of butter. Similarly, tariffs on white rice have been increased from 40% to 15%. Figure 3 shows a significant increase in fats and oils and white rice in 2010. However, existing rates on other selected and less healthy foods, such as ice cream and edible ice cream, ready-to-eat savory snacks, sugary snacks, and sugary cereals packaged for breakfast, have increased. Nevertheless, total imports of food products in these categories also increased from 2000 to 2010. In this analysis, we focus on the minimum surveillance approach in two of the areas: trade in goods and trade in services and foreign direct investment. In preparing the INFORMAS protocol document [23], we found that the availability of data in Fiji was quite limited, particularly in the context of foreign direct investment and domestic support. The action area query (domain 4) was also identified as being better captured using qualitative data methods.

For this reason, we are now focusing on trade in goods and trade in services. Data were collected for the following indicators related to these two areas: total volume of food imports; the concentration of import volumes of food categories; Real and bound tariff rates for flagship foods and the type and country of origin of all foreign-invested transnational food companies operating in Fijian countries. For the total volume of food imports, data were selected by food import categories according to the Fiji Bureau of Statistics (FBOS) definition and the specific classification codes used to classify these foods. To determine which “healthy” and “less healthy” foods should be monitored for Fiji, the selection of “less healthy” foods was based on the above-mentioned “shop survey”, and the decision on which “healthy” foods should be collected was guided by the information contained in the National Nutrition Survey (NNS) reports for Fiji. Nazi reports reflect the most common eating habits and fresh fruits and vegetables found in the diets of major ethnic groups. When collecting the actual and committed tariff rates, information for 2010 was collected from footnote 1 of the WTO Customs Download Mechanism, while tariff rates for previous years were collected from Fiji`s budget statements and UPDATED WTO trade reports. Data collection on food-related foreign direct investment in Fiji was limited and the data presented in this paper were collected from the International Trade Centre (ITC) database. Footnote 2 Detailed data collection methods for each indicator are described in the INFORMAS protocol document [23]. In Africa, a continent facing serious food insecurity problems, most food comes from abroad. Between 2016 and 2018, about 85% of food was imported from outside the continent. And as the population grows, Africa`s net food imports are expected to triple by 2025, although malnutrition is increasing by a third.

Fiji gained independence in 1970. In response to the global oil shocks, progressive trade-restrictive and protectionist measures were taken to stabilize the Fijian economy and protect its local industry [10]. A number of import duties, subsidies and quotas have been introduced to protect the rice, dairy, poultry, beef, pork and tobacco industries and to reduce competition from imported foods. High import duties have been imposed on many processed foods [10]. As public debt continues to grow with the protectionist approach, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have provided advice on a new economic policy direction based on the Washington Consensus and, in 1986, a new policy orientation favouring an outward-looking export strategy replaced the import substitution strategy [17]. Two military coups in 1987 reinforced this momentum [18], and the post-coup government continued to implement important reform measures that were less restrictive for trade, and Fiji adopted a gradual program to lift import licenses and quantitative restrictions on imports, reduce tariffs, deregulate financial markets, reform the tax system, reform state-owned enterprises and promote exports [17]. In 1999, a new government took office and introduced a new programme of quantitative restrictions, tariff increases and input subsidies to restore protection to the struggling rice industry and the agricultural sector as a whole. Changes in government policy following a third and fourth military coup in 2000 and 2006 have since reintroduced import substitution measures, and there have been setbacks in tariffs, as tariffs remain an important trade policy instrument for Fiji [20]. .