Oranges market in Tonga

Earlier Report Observations

The orange market in Tonga reached 1 431 t in 2018 but contracted in subsequent years. Tropical Cyclone Gita in February 2018 caused extensive damage and disrupted essential services, potentially affecting supply chains and market access for oranges. With local production limited, the market relies heavily on imports, facilitated by duty-free access for oranges from Pacific Island Forum members like Australia and New Zealand. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 severely reduced tourism and household income, dampening demand for imported oranges and contributing to a market decline to 1 246 t by 2020.

Inflation in Tonga rose to 10.97% in 2022, making imported oranges more expensive and suppressing consumption, which further reduced the market volume to 1 227 t. However, inflation eased to 6.35% in 2023, improving affordability. Concurrently, the gradual recovery of tourism began boosting demand for food products, including oranges. These factors drove a sharp rebound in imports to 618 t and lifted the total market volume to 1 501 t in 2023.

For 2024, orange imports remained substantial at 405 t, supported by continued duty exemptions under regional trade agreements and the ongoing recovery in tourist arrivals. The market's structure continues to reflect a high dependence on imported oranges due to minimal local production.

Production oranges in Tonga

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of oranges, 2017-2020

World map of production of oranges, 2017-2020

Orange production in Tonga has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 904.4 t of oranges, marking a slight advance of 2.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

Exports oranges from Tonga

Based on market analysis, there were no exports of oranges from Tonga between 2017 and 2020.

Imports oranges to Tonga

Imports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, Tonga's orange imports stood at 341.4 t, reflecting a decline of 10.9% year-over-year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 564.8 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 32.2%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 199.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand was the dominant source for orange imports to Tonga, accounting for 73.5% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among several smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market experienced significant fluctuations during this period. Imports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tonga's orange imports totaled 623.0 K $ US, down by 16.9% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 749.6 K $ US, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 96.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with New Zealand and the United States together accounting for 83.2% of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder.

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

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