Citrus fruit market in French Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market in French Polynesia began the period with significant phytosanitary constraints, notably the widespread Citrus tristeza virus, which required the use of grafted plants and complicated cultivation. In 2019, reported difficulties in marketing local citrus contributed to a sharp contraction in domestic production, leading the overall market volume to fall from 4 408 t to 3 218 t. This downward trend continued into 2020, with the market declining further to 2 823 t.

From 2021, the implementation of the Agricultural Master Plan 2021-2030, which included specific measures to combat diseases like phytophthora and disseminated improved technical guidelines, provided structured support to the sector. This coincided with a market recovery to 3 398 t in 2021, driven largely by imports, while local production remained variable. The market volume then stabilized around 3 268 t in 2022.

In 2023, the sector's resilience was bolstered by the inauguration of a dedicated plant quarantine facility (AGROPOL), strengthening the phytosanitary defense system against pests like the tristeza virus. This reinforced infrastructure helped maintain the market volume at 3 404 t, with production holding steady near 1 912 t.

Production citrus fruit in French Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2019, French Polynesia's citrus fruit production hit its lowest point at 1,616 tons. Production then rebounded in 2020, reaching 1,674 tons—a moderate 3.6% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 40.1%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 15.7%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 2,911 tons, marking the largest annual increase of 4.2%. Conversely, 2019 saw the steepest drop, with production falling by 44.5%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from French Polynesia

Exports in kind, t

French Polynesia's citrus fruit exports showed significant fluctuations during this period. In 2019, exports dropped to their minimum of 0.0 tons, representing a sharp 76.4% decline. The following year, in 2020, exports recovered to 0.1 tons, a substantial 194.1% year-over-year gain. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 0.1 tons, with the swing from 2018 to 2019 showing a dramatic 4.2-fold difference between the high and low points.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was virtually the sole destination for French Polynesia's citrus fruit exports in kind, accounting for 100.0% of the total trade flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of citrus fruit exports from French Polynesia was highly volatile during these years. In 2017, export values hit their lowest point, then peaked in 2018 at 0.4 thousand US dollars—a 265.7% increase that year. By 2019, values fell by 54.9%, before rising again in 2020 to 0.2 thousand US dollars, up 28.4% from the prior year. Overall, the difference between the 2018 peak and the 2017 trough was 3.7 times.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the export structure in value terms was extremely concentrated, with France alone making up 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to French Polynesia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, French Polynesia's citrus fruit imports in kind declined. In 2019, imports reached their maximum at 1,602 tons, up 7.0% from the previous year. However, in 2020, imports fell sharply to 1,149 tons, a 28.3% year-over-year drop. Over the full 2017–2020 period, imports decreased by 19.4%, averaging an annual decline of 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Australia dominated French Polynesia's citrus fruit imports in kind, together accounting for 96.2% of total flows. Other countries contributed a smaller, more diversified share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Citrus fruit import values in French Polynesia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, values peaked at 3,034 thousand US dollars, marking a 13.4% increase. By 2020, imports had fallen to 2,087 thousand US dollars, down 22.8% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, total imports decreased by 22%, with an average annual decline of 7.9%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, the United States and Australia were the dominant sources for French Polynesia's citrus fruit imports in value terms, jointly representing 95.4% of total flows, while other markets made up the remainder.

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

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