Milk market in Polynesia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The milk market in Polynesia expanded from 17 880 metric tons in 2018 to 23 546 metric tons in 2019 after the 2015 competition law took effect, opening the market to more players and increasing competition in supply and retail. This liberalization drove a sharp rise in imports, fueling overall market growth.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the local economy, leading to widespread partial unemployment and reducing market volume to 21 460 metric tons. A partial recovery to 22 397 metric tons followed in 2021, supported by the resurgence of tourism focused on local products like milk and a wave of new business creation.

High inflation of 8.5% in 2022, with milk and cheese prices jumping 17.6%, severely cut household purchasing power, shrinking the market to 20 153 metric tons. By 2023, the market stabilized at 19 779 metric tons as price‑control regulations for essential products, including growing‑up milk, came into force and inflation eased, though a recall of infant milk batches by major producers like Danone and Nestlé also influenced demand.

Production milk in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, Polynesia's milk production volume increased in 2020. That year, the region produced 2 830 tonnes of milk, representing a 4.9% rise compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 697 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year drop occurring that same year at 6.8%.

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

Exports milk from Polynesia

Exports in kind, t

Polynesia's milk exports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Export volume stood at 15 tonnes, marking a significant reduction of 67.6% from 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 58.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.5%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 49 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 33.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Curacao and Fiji emerged as the primary buyers of milk from Polynesia, collectively accounting for 46.9% of total exports in volume terms.

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 export market for milk from Polynesia showed considerable volatility throughout the analyzed period. Export values fluctuated dramatically, with a fivefold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low point in 2020. In 2020, Polynesia exported milk worth 23 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp decline of 71.2% compared to the previous year. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 117 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest year-on-year increase of 152.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Curacao and Fiji made the most substantial contributions to Polynesia's milk exports in value terms, together representing 8.7% of total export 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 milk to Polynesia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, milk imports to Polynesia declined in 2020. Import volume reached 18 645 tonnes, indicating a decrease of 10.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 25.7% overall, equating to an average annual growth rate of 7.9%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 20 896 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year increase of 39.0%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, New Zealand (47.0% of imports by volume), France (22.1%), and Australia (21.6%) consistently held the leading positions in Polynesia's milk import structure. Together, these three countries accounted for 90.7% of total import flows in volume terms.

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

Polynesia's milk imports declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import value totaled 27 326 thousand US dollars, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The peak import value was recorded in 2018 at 27 748 thousand US dollars. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019 at 1.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 8.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—New Zealand, France, and Australia—collectively accounted for 90.5% of the total value of milk imports to Polynesia.

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

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