Fiji is one of two countries in the world with disease free waters ideal for black pearl farming.

Senior Principal Fisheries Officer Malakai Tuiloa addressing Taiwanese investors this morning said that following the collapse of the $500 million Cook Islands and Tahiti pearl industry, Brunei and Fiji were identified as the only countries with 100% clean natural waters for pearl farming.

Tuiloa said looking at the Black Pearl Industry and the income that can be generated in Fiji, the collapse of the industry in the two island countries, a lot of demand has been generated.

For the first four months this year, Fiji has generated 18,157 pearl pieces from the 11 pearl farms in the country.

For 2007, Fiji generated $1.27 million in exports and $1.53 million in 2008 with these figures expected to increase this year.

The largest producer of black pearls in the country is J.Hunter Pearls in Savusavu which is private owned.