Flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers market in Timor-Leste

Earlier Report Observations

The market for flour and powder of sago, roots or tubers in Timor-Leste began the period at 3 748 t in 2018, a year when the government launched a strategic plan to shift subsistence farming toward more productive and sustainable agriculture, including roots and tubers. However, this was followed by a sustained contraction, with market volume falling to 3 507 t in 2019, 3 264 t in 2020, and reaching a low of 2 879 t in 2021.

A recovery commenced in 2022 as the market grew to 3 023 t and further to 3 142 t in 2023. This turnaround coincided with active government measures to stimulate agricultural output, notably an investment of approximately $650,000 by the Ministry of Agriculture in late 2023 for the distribution of certified corn and rice seeds, aimed at boosting overall crop production which supported the market for root and tuber derivatives.

Production flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers in Timor-Leste

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Timor-Leste ranked 28th globally in the production volume of flour or powder made from sago, roots, or tubers.

Top producers of flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers, 2017-2020

World map of production of flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers, 2017-2020

Timor-Leste's production of flour or powder from sago, roots, or tubers declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 208 tonnes, marking a 7.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 20.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.3%.

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

Exports flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers from Timor-Leste

According to market intelligence reports, Timor-Leste did not export any flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers between 2017 and 2020.

Imports flour or powder of sago, roots or tubers to Timor-Leste

Imports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 2.8-fold difference between the low of 19 615 kg in 2018 and the high of 55 629 kg in 2020. In 2020, cross-border shipments reached 55 629 kg, representing a sharp increase of 49.6% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 2.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 89.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia was the dominant supplier of flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers to Timor-Leste, accounting for 99.1% of total imports in kind.

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

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Imports bottomed in 2018 at 4 598 US dollars and peaked in 2020 at 23 507 US dollars, differing by a factor of 5.1. In 2020, Timor-Leste imported a total of 23 507 US dollars worth of flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers, showing a substantial improvement of 135.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 49.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Indonesia served as the key and nearly exclusive market for imports in value terms of flour or powder of sago, roots, or tubers to Timor-Leste, representing 95.2% of total flows.

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

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