Food and water in Fiji
While the food and drinks basics are all available in Fiji, it is generally necessary to visit a number of different shops in different parts of Suva or Nadi to obtain everything needed for a dinner party.
The water supply across the islands is not reliable for the purpose of drinking, and most expats buy bottled water, which is of excellent quality.
Food shopping in Fiji
Shopping facilities are limited compared to what’s available in US, Australian or New Zealand cities. The major supermarket chain is Morris Hedstrom (MH), which has a supply of most basic items, but lacks the “gourmet” items available in Australia and New Zealand.
The main supermarkets carry a reasonable range of fruit and vegetables, but many expats choose to buy their fresh fruit and vegetables at the Suva market, which sells both locally grown and imported produce. Produce is freshest on Fridays and Saturdays.
►Tip: On arrival at Suva markets hire a “barrow boy” for a gold coin. The barrow boy will follow you around the market gathering your purchases and placing them in the barrow, and then delivering them to your car.
Fresh fruit stalls run by Fijian or Chinese shopkeepers operate along the roadside across Suva and Nadi, and can be also be good sources of locally grown produce.
In the suburb of Tamavua in Suva the small supermarket ‘Joe’s Farm’ caters largely to the many expats living nearby, and offers a more upmarket range of groceries.
At Sports City in Suva the bulk supermarket, Cost-U-Less (sometimes referred to as Cost-U-More by expats), offers many brands not found at MH (particularly American brands).
Fresh produce in Fiji
Care should be taken with Fijian food, particularly seafood and meat, as freshness, quality and hygiene are below Australian or New Zealand standards.
Be extremely selective when purchasing fish, crabs, lobsters or mussels from the local markets in Suva and Nadi, as these goods are likely caught in contaminated water or have not been stored appropriately. There have been many instances when expats have gotten sick from seafood purchased at the market . Expats also need to be aware that eating certain species of fish can cause ciguatera illness.
Locally slaughtered meat of fair quality can be purchased at the supermarkets. Many expats use ‘Woody’ at the South Pacific Butchering Company located in Nadi. Woody, the owner, makes trips to Suva every Thursday.
Most expats have deep freezers or sufficient refrigerator/freezer space to enable bulk buying of perishable foodstuffs. The electricity supply can also be a problem storing perishable food if the house does not have a generator.
Spirits and wines are particularly expensive; however, by Australian and New Zealand standards the locally made cigarettes are very cheap. Spices can be bought at ‘The Lazy Chef’ in Flagstaff, Suva.
The supply of fresh milk is unreliable and sporadic, and most expats drink long-life sterilised milk which can be bought easily.
