Coconut oilcake market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

The coconut oilcake market in Polynesia began a period of expansion in 2018, fueled by a domestic agricultural policy that subsidized and significantly raised the purchase price for copra. This measure, designed to support the traditional copra sector and limit rural depopulation, made local production more profitable and stimulated output. As copra is processed to extract oil, the increased activity led to a greater supply of its solid residue, coconut oilcake, boosting the overall market volume.

Following the initial policy-driven growth, the market volume continued to rise, reaching a peak of 7 453 t in 2020. A moderate contraction occurred over the next two years, with the volume dipping to 6 760 t in 2022, before recovering to 7 617 t in 2023. Production followed a similar trajectory, increasing from 4 498 t in 2018 to 7 612 t in 2023, while trade flows remained relatively minor.

Production coconut oilcake in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconut oilcake, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconut oilcake, 2017-2020

Polynesia's coconut oilcake production has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 7,448 tons of coconut oilcake, marking a moderate 7.6% rise from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.6%, which translates to an average annual increase of 4.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 4,498 tons, when output fell by 31.4%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest jump, with production surging by 53.8%.

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

Exports coconut oilcake from Polynesia

Exports in kind, t

Coconut oilcake exports from Polynesia have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2019, the region exported 601.0 tons of coconut oilcake, up 10.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2019, exports increased by 135.3%, averaging an annual growth rate of 33.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—New Zealand, the United States, and New Caledonia—accounted for 88.9% of Polynesia's total coconut oilcake exports by 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

The market showed significant volatility during these years. In 2019, coconut oilcake exports from Polynesia reached $73,000 US, representing a sharp 81.8% decline year-over-year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $400,900 US, which marked a 41.6% increase. Overall, there was a 5.5-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand (28.6% of export value), the United States (21.0%), and Australia (15.7%) were the leading destinations for Polynesia's coconut oilcake exports by value, together making up 65.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports coconut oilcake to Polynesia

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. In 2020, foreign coconut oilcake supplies to Polynesia totaled 4.6 tons, down 81.2% from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 36.4 tons, which saw a 52.9% increase. Over the period, imports peaked in 2018 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 7.9-fold swing between these years.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, New Zealand (29.0% of total volume) and Fiji (20.9%) were the two main sources for coconut oilcake imports into Polynesia, jointly accounting for 49.9% of total flows.

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

Coconut oilcake imports into Polynesia have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to $16,800 US, a 34.9% drop from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 63.8%, with an average annual decline of 28.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $67,300 US, which represented a 44.6% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 61.6%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, New Zealand and Fiji held the top positions in Polynesia's coconut oilcake import structure by value, together making up 53.5% of total flows.

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

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