Citrus fruit market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

The citrus fruit market in Polynesia experienced a decline from 13 343 t in 2018 to 11 370 t by 2020. During this period, authorities reissued detailed citrus cultivation guidelines to combat viral and fungal diseases and promoted a strategy focused on diversified family farming to enhance local production quality. A refined sector diagnostic in 9 prepared the groundwork for comprehensive agricultural planning.

A turnaround occurred in 2021 as the market volume grew to 12 172 t, primarily driven by the launch of the ten-year agricultural development scheme aimed at structuring the sector, improving market regulation, and securing supplies. The passage of a law promoting local agricultural and aquaculture sectors further supported market reliability. However, in 2022, the market slightly contracted to 11 840 t due to strong inflation on imported foodstuffs and energy, which raised production costs and affected consumption, despite new legislation capping prices for certain goods.

By 2023, the market recovered to 12 393 t, supported by ongoing efforts to strengthen food autonomy, including an order modifying rules for essential consumer goods and a gradual shift toward valuing local produce in formal supply chains. Continued structuring of public procurement and investments in agricultural research infrastructure contributed to sector resilience.

Production citrus fruit in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

In 2020, Polynesia produced 9 624 tonnes of citrus fruit, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 10.2%, with an average annual decline of 3.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 9 574 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 10 852 tonnes. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019, falling by 11.8%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 1.3%.

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

Exports citrus fruit from Polynesia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for citrus fruit from Polynesia showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports peaked in 2019 at 20 tonnes, then dropped sharply to a low of 0.1 tonnes in 2020, representing a 403-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports declined by 99.8% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, surging by 227.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of citrus fruit from Polynesia were New Zealand, accounting for 59.5% of exports in kind, Bahrain with 2.4%, and France with 0.9%. Together, these three countries represented 62.8% of total exports in kind.

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

The export market in value terms exhibited an unstable trend over the timeframe. Exports reached their highest point in 2019 at 12 thousand US dollars, then fell to their lowest in 2020 at 0.2 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 54-fold gap. In 2020, exports declined by 98.1% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 252.0%.

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

Over the period 2017–2020, New Zealand, Bahrain, and France consistently led as the top buyers in value terms. New Zealand accounted for 28.5% of exports in value, Bahrain for 12.1%, and France for 4.1%. Collectively, these three countries made up 44.7% of total export flows in value.

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

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

Imports citrus fruit to Polynesia

Imports in kind, t

After increasing for two years, citrus fruit imports into Polynesia declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 000 tonnes, a decrease of 30.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 13.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 4.6%. The highest import level was recorded in 2019 at 2 524 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 24.1%.

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

During 2017–2020, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand were the main sources of citrus fruit imports into Polynesia in kind. The United States accounted for 43.2% of imports, Australia for 34.3%, and New Zealand for 21.6%. Together, these three countries comprised 99.1% of total import flows in kind.

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

Following a two-year rise, Polynesia's citrus fruit imports in value terms declined. In 2020, imports stood at 3 200 thousand US dollars, marking a significant reduction of 24.7% from 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 13.3%, with an average annual decline of 4.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 4 247 thousand US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2018, up by 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand were the principal sources for imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 45.8% of imports in value, Australia for 32.7%, and New Zealand for 20.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 99.3% of total import flows in value.

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

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