Aubergines market in New Caledonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled aubergines in New Caledonia experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 184 t in 2018, volume dipped to 146 t in 2019, a year that saw the Rural Agency launch a new diversification program for edible plants and vegetables, potentially including aubergines, alongside ongoing market protection measures managing import quotas. A sharp recovery to 198 t followed in 2020, supported by competition authority recommendations to reserve part of the import quotas for new entrants, which encouraged direct imports by agri-food professionals and intensified market competition.

Market volume then contracted to 126 t in 2021. Technical trials that year reported no major diseases for aubergines and noted favorable agronomic conditions like deep, well-drained soil, though the presence of pests such as thrips and leaf-eating caterpillars required crop monitoring. A rebound to 155 t occurred in 2022 following Decision No. 2022-DCC-04, which reinforced the regulation of the fresh and chilled produce market, including measures on quotas and the control of prices and margins.

Growth continued into 2023, with market volume reaching 166 t. Regulatory measures affecting quotas and commercialization, updated in early 2024, maintained this framework. Throughout the period, policies aimed at supporting local production and managing market access through import quotas were central to shaping the aubergine market's supply dynamics.

Production aubergines in New Caledonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of aubergines, 2017-2020

World map of production of aubergines, 2017-2020

New Caledonia's aubergine production rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2020, the country produced 198.0 tonnes of aubergines, marking a 35.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.1% overall, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 146.0 tonnes, when output fell by 20.2%—the steepest decline during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports aubergines from New Caledonia

According to desk-based market research, New Caledonia did not export any aubergines between 2017 and 2020.

Imports aubergines to New Caledonia

Imports in kind, kg

The market for aubergine imports showed significant volatility over these years. In 2017, imports reached their lowest point, then surged to a peak of 817.0 kg in 2018—a 17-fold increase. However, by 2019, deliveries dropped sharply to 426.0 kg, representing a 47.9% decrease compared to 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Australia was the dominant source for New Caledonia's aubergine imports in volume terms, accounting for 94.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

Import values also displayed irregular patterns, reflecting a volatile market environment. In 2017, they hit their lowest point, then rose to a peak of 1 271 US dollars in 2018—a 5.8-fold swing. By 2019, the import volume declined to 1 182 US dollars, showing a gradual 7.0% drop from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 477.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Caledonia in value, 2017-2020, $ US

During the 2017–2020 period, Australia and New Zealand together dominated New Caledonia's aubergine imports in value terms, making up 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to New Caledonia in value, 2017-2020