There has been a delay in the full harvesting of the lucrative mahogany in Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, although the ownership of mahogany had been transferred from the government to native landowners last year.

Minister for Forestry Joketani Cokanasiga said the reason for the delay is because the land ministry survey team is still working on the land boundaries of each individual mataqali and yavusa to avoid dispute.

Cokanasiga said landowners continue to harvest mahogany in Vugalei and also a Taiwanese company in partnership with landowners in Vanua Levu has ventured into a new logging business where mahogany branches are also used.