Beef and buffalo meat market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the beef and buffalo meat market in French Polynesia contracted from 9 651 metric tons to 8 785 metric tons. The market has long been characterized by minimal local production, covering only 2-3% of consumption, with strict veterinary certification governing meat imports. In 2020, the agriculture department sold government-owned cattle herds to farmers in an effort to revitalize domestic breeding, though total market volume continued to decline.

Market volume recovered to 9 084 metric tons in 2021 and then surged by 11.5% to 10 133 metric tons in 2022. This strong growth was primarily driven by the recovery of tourism and air traffic, which significantly increased demand for meat. Import prices for meat rose by more than 60% during the year, reflecting broader cost pressures.

In 2023, the market volume fell sharply by 24.6% to 7 644 metric tons. The same year saw the entry of a new supplier, with the first container of grass-fed beef from New Caledonia arriving on the market, offering an alternative to imports from New Zealand and Australia.

Production beef and buffalo meat in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

World map of production of beef and buffalo meat, 2017-2020

Polynesia's beef and buffalo meat production has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, production stood at 1 726 tonnes, showing a modest decrease of 5.3% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 20%, with an average annual decline rate of 7.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beef and buffalo meat from Polynesia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during the observed period. Import levels varied dramatically, with a 17-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low point in 2017. In 2019, Polynesia's exports of beef and buffalo meat amounted to 9 tonnes, marking a sharp decline of 69.1% from 2018. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 28 tonnes, which represented an increase of 1 640.6% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand was the primary destination for Polynesia's beef and buffalo meat exports, accounting for 73.9% of the total export volume.

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

World map of product's exports from Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility over these years. Exports showed a 32-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017. In 2019, Polynesia exported beef and buffalo meat worth 42 thousand US dollars, indicating a dramatic decline of 81.6% compared to 2018. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 227 thousand US dollars, which represented an increase of 3 069.6% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Polynesia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the period from 2017 to 2020, New Zealand emerged as the main buyer of beef and buffalo meat from Polynesia in value terms, representing 65.6% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports from Polynesia in value, 2017-2020

Imports beef and buffalo meat to Polynesia

Imports in kind, t

Polynesia's beef and buffalo meat imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 7 059 tonnes, reflecting a gradual decrease of 7.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 4.6%, with an average annual decline rate of 1.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 637 tonnes, which was an increase of 3.2% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand (55.0% of imports by volume), Uruguay (15.7%), and the United Kingdom (10.1%) continued to be the leading suppliers of beef and buffalo meat to Polynesia, together accounting for 80.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Polynesia's beef and buffalo meat imports from abroad declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 44 990 thousand US dollars, showing little change from the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 51 316 thousand US dollars, which was an increase of 13.5% from 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 12.1%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, New Zealand and Uruguay were the primary sources for Polynesia's beef and buffalo meat imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 80.1% of total imports, while the remaining share was distributed among other markets.

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

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