The harvesting of one of the world’s largest stands of mahogany is under way in Fiji.
The country has 43,000ha of the species containing about six million trees worth between US$68m-217m. Potential production is 100,000m3 per year.
The plantation is growing on land leased by the government-owned Fiji Hardwood Corporation, whose former chief executive George Speight led a coup two years ago.
Japan and China have already expressed interest in buying some of the timber.
