Milk market in French Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the milk market volume in French Polynesia increased from 8 714 t to 9 763 t. This growth coincided with the 2018 modernization of maximum price regulations for essential goods, which aimed to limit excessive food price hikes and secure supplies. The reinforced role of exclusive importers who also acted as retailers shaped market competition. In 2020, inherent supply difficulties for the island economy underscored the need for market regulation, while development of processed local products began to align with consumer preferences.

After 2020, market volume declined to 9 697 t in 2021 as authorities conducted an agricultural census and advanced a bill to promote local agricultural and aquaculture supply chains, including for school canteens. A more pronounced drop to 8 845 t occurred in 2022, a period marked by the recall of infant formula from major producers Danone, Nestlé, and Lactalis due to contamination risks, impacting product availability and consumer confidence. New legislation further strengthened price controls on staple consumer goods that same year.

The market contraction accelerated sharply in 2023, with volume falling to 4 764 t and imports dropping to 4 234 t. By 2024, imports decreased further to 3 743 t, while domestic production continued its downward trend, reaching 530 t in 2023.

Production milk in French Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

In 2020, French Polynesia produced 800.0 t of milk, marking a 3.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 2.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 770.0 t, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 840.0 t. The most significant drop was observed in 2019, when production fell by 8.3%.

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

Exports milk from French Polynesia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, French Polynesia exported 1 t of milk, representing a dramatic year-over-year surge of 13,763.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Fiji was the dominant market for milk exports from French Polynesia, accounting for 98.7% of total exports in volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

French Polynesia's milk exports in 2020 reached 4 K $ US, showing a sharp increase of 5,828.0% compared to the previous year.

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

During 2017–2020, Fiji clearly led as the primary buyer of milk from French Polynesia, capturing 97.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports milk to French Polynesia

Imports in kind, t

French Polynesia's milk imports continued to grow for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 8 964 t, up 6.4% from the prior year. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports rose by 2.6%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 7 874 t, which also saw the largest decline of 9.9%. In contrast, the biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a 7.0% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France and New Zealand together accounted for 83.6% of total milk imports by volume into French Polynesia, with the remainder spread across various other markets, each contributing smaller shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, French Polynesia imported milk worth 15 569 K $ US, a 10.0% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15 569 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand and France combined to take 89.0% of the total import value of milk into French Polynesia, while the rest was distributed among smaller markets.

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

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