It said that the cyclone caused heavy rains, which have caused flood warnings and affected all of the main rivers in the country.

Western Division farmers' organisation and export treatment facility, Nature's Way Cooperative Ltd, has stated that papaya and eggplant exports were still being processed.

Co-operative CEO, Michael Brown, said if the rain persists damage to exports of fruit and vegetables could be affected. In addition, he stated that until the storm clears they are unable to assess the damage already done to farms around the country. "Once the weather clears, we will go out and do a survey to ascertain the impact the wet weather has had on farms that grow export produce."

While flooding has occurred mostly in Rakiraki and Tavua, there are concerns that continuous showers may have waterlogged farms in the Sigatoka Valley where the bulk of fruit and vegetable farms are located.

Nature's Way has a membership of more than 250 farmers.

Source: fijitimes.com