Cassava market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

The cassava market in Polynesia saw considerable volume shifts between 2018 and 2023. Market size, reflecting domestic consumption, contracted from 10 415 t in 2018 to 8 045 t in 2021, a drop of more than 20%. This decline was entirely reversed over the next two years, with the market reaching 10 728 t in 2023.

Local production remained stable throughout the period, hovering between 11 200 t and 11 500 t annually. The market's movements were predominantly dictated by export activity. Exports grew rapidly from 813 t in 2018 to a high of 3 244 t in 2021, diverting supply away from the local market and driving down its size. A sharp subsequent decline in exports, falling to 574 t in 2023, allowed domestic availability and the market volume to recover.

Imports were minimal and did not exceed 26 t in any given year, playing a negligible role in supply. By 2023, the cassava market had nearly returned to its initial volume, stabilized by a return to more moderate export levels after a period of heightened foreign shipments.

Production cassava in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cassava, 2017-2020

World map of production of cassava, 2017-2020

In 2020, Polynesia produced 11 300 tons of cassava, representing a 1.7% decrease from the previous year. Production declined by 3.2% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decrease of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 11 215 tons, which saw the largest decline of 3.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 2.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Cassava production value in Polynesia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2 401 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial 19.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 26.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Polynesia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cassava from Polynesia

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 813 tons, while the highest reached 2 453 tons in 2020, representing a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, cassava shipments from Polynesia totaled 2 453 tons, marking a sharp 92.3% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 64.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand and Australia remained the primary buyers of cassava from Polynesia, together accounting for 86.8% of total export volume, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

Foreign cassava supplies from Polynesia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 521.2 thousand US dollars, representing a 57.6% year-over-year increase. However, between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 17.5%, averaging an annual decline of 6.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 234.5 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 62.9%.

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

During 2017-2020, New Zealand accounted for 56.9% of total export value and Australia for 31.2%, together forming 88.1% of total exports, while other partners accounted for the remaining share.

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

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

Imports cassava to Polynesia

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest reached 26 tons in 2020, reflecting a 3.7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Polynesia imported 26 tons of cassava, representing a steep 187.9% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 29.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Fiji and Australia jointly absorbed 85.6% of total cassava import volume to Polynesia, with the rest distributed across smaller markets.

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

The market showed an unstable trend throughout this period. Import levels fluctuated 3.5 times between the low of 2018 and the high of 2020. In 2020, Polynesia's cassava imports totaled 26.3 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp 150.4% increase from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 7.5 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 36.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Fiji remained the main source for imports in value terms, accounting for 86.5% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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