Edible brassicas market in Timor-Leste

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh brassicas in Timor-Leste demonstrated relative stability from 2018 to 2023, with annual volumes fluctuating within a narrow band between 2 715 t and 2 764 t. This steadiness was initially supported by a government initiative launched in 2018 to purchase local agricultural produce, which helped farmers access the market and promoted the consumption of fresh, domestically grown brassicas.

Market volumes stabilized around 2 737–2 740 t in the period from 2021 to 2023. During these years, policy measures influenced the market environment. A revision of the national Consumer Price Index in 2022 altered the measurement of fresh produce prices, which could affect retail pricing and consumer spending decisions. In 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture distributed certified seeds to farmers, an effort aimed at expanding cultivated area and improving crop quality to support local agricultural output.

Government backing for the agricultural sector continued into 2024, highlighted by the promotion of organic fertilizer use and increased public investment in the productive sectors under the state budget. These measures, coupled with reported economic growth of 4% that year, sustained a favorable climate for the local fresh produce market.

Production edible brassicas in Timor-Leste

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

Edible brassicas production in Timor-Leste saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 2,754 tonnes. However, in 2020, output fell to 2,709 tonnes, marking a 1.6% decrease from the previous year. The most significant annual increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Timor-Leste in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports edible brassicas from Timor-Leste

Industry analysis indicates that Timor-Leste did not export any edible brassicas between 2017 and 2020.

Imports edible brassicas to Timor-Leste

Imports in kind, kg

Timor-Leste's imports of edible brassicas have been declining for three years in a row. In 2019, imports stood at 10,100 kg, but by 2020, they dropped to 6,710 kg, representing a 33.6% year-on-year decrease. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 79.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -41.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Timor-Leste in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, China was the primary source of edible brassicas imports for Timor-Leste, accounting for 87.6% of the total volume. The remaining imports were spread across various other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Timor-Leste in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

For the third consecutive year, Timor-Leste's edible brassicas imports in value terms showed a downward trend. In 2019, imports were valued at $15,300, but in 2020, this figure fell sharply to $9,554, a 37.5% drop compared to the previous year. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, import values decreased by 80.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -41.8%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, China maintained its position as the leading partner for Timor-Leste's edible brassicas imports in monetary terms, holding an 82.7% share of the total value. Other markets contributed smaller portions to the import structure.

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

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