Coffee, husks, skins and substitutes market in New Caledonia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the New Caledonian coffee market was characterized by a strict regulatory framework that limited annual imports from other origins to 10 tonnes, aiming to shield local producers. Despite this quota, imported coffee constituted the bulk of market supply, with the total market volume reaching 589.3 tonnes in 2018. Domestic production remained minimal, fluctuating between 1.2 and 2.6 tonnes annually and consisting mainly of robusta with a small niche for premium arabica.

Market volume contracted significantly after 2018, falling to 421.0 tonnes in 2019 and 350.0 tonnes in 2020, before a partial recovery to 407.0 tonnes in 2021. A further decline to 334.0 tonnes in 2022 coincided with consumer prices recorded as roughly one-third higher than in mainland France, which curtailed local demand. That same year, Café Royal Pacifique underwent a leadership change with the appointment of a new master roaster focused on product innovation, reflecting activity within the local roasting segment.

In 2023, the market rebounded sharply to 461.6 tonnes, its highest level since 2018, without specific disruptive events reported for that year.

Production coffee, husks, skins and substitutes in New Caledonia

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

World map of production of coffee, husks, skins and substitutes, 2017-2020

New Caledonia's production of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 940 kg, marking a 3.0% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 62.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 28.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes from New Caledonia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes from New Caledonia have risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 53.6 t, showing a sharp increase of 166.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 4 852.2%, averaging an annual growth rate of 267.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium and Australia were the two leading markets, together accounting for 94.3% of total exports in kind. The remaining volume was distributed among a variety of other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export revenues from coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes in New Caledonia have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 186 K $ US, indicating a steep rise of 97.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 1 014.2%, with an average annual rate of 123.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in value terms was highly concentrated, with Belgium and Australia together taking 83.9% of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports coffee, husks, skins and substitutes to New Caledonia

Imports in kind, t

Imports of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes into New Caledonia have fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 401.7 t, down 8.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 21.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.8%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 588.8 t, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 25.4% drop. The biggest increase was recorded in 2018 at 15.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, France and Papua New Guinea were the primary sources, jointly accounting for 83.8% of total imports in kind of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes to New Caledonia. The rest was spread across smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

New Caledonia imported 3 979 K $ US worth of coffee, husks, skins, and substitutes in 2020, representing a strong increase of 10.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 5.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 3 600 K $ US, while the peak was in 2018 at 4 262 K $ US. The largest decline happened in 2019 with a 15.5% decrease, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 13.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Switzerland, and Papua New Guinea were the main markets for imports in value terms, with shares of 53.0%, 19.8%, and 17.8%, respectively. Together, they represented 90.6% of total import flows.

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

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