Pork market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the total volume of the pork market in Polynesia contracted from 8 497 tons to 8 042 tons. This period was marked by a long-term decline in local production, a trend ongoing for a decade, due to a regulated economic environment with fixed prices. The market's reliance on imports to meet demand was intensified when the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 disrupted global supply chains and inflated feed costs, putting further strain on local farmers. Subsequent fresh meat shortages in 2020, caused by worldwide maritime shipping issues, limited import flows and contributed to the overall reduction in market volume.

A significant market shift occurred in 2021 when a fire destroyed the facilities of Charcuterie du Pacifique, the primary local pork processor. This event drastically curtailed the supply of pork products. In response, the government authorized an exceptional import of 75 tons of pork, which led to a spike in total imports to 4 903 tons. Consequently, the overall market volume surged to 9 722 tons that year, offsetting the drop in domestic production.

Starting in 2022, the market entered a phase of sharp decline, falling to 8 481 tons and then to 5 570 tons in 2023. This downturn was driven by new regulatory measures, notably Law of the Country No. 2022-44 which imposed price controls on meat, and by persistently high raw material and logistics costs. These factors collectively pressured the sector and led to a substantial reduction in imports, causing the total market volume to collapse.

Production pork in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pork, 2017-2020

World map of production of pork, 2017-2020

Following two consecutive years of decline, pork production in Polynesia has rebounded. In 2020, the region produced 5 091 tons of pork, marking a moderate increase of 9.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 6.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 667 tons, with the most significant drop occurring that same year at 8.7%.

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

Exports pork from Polynesia

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. Import levels varied dramatically, with a 25-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the low point in 2018. In 2019, pork exports from Polynesia reached 1 ton, representing a notable improvement of 24.0% over the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 ton, which coincided with the largest decline of 95.9%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a highly volatile market environment. From the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2018, export values changed by a factor of 25. In 2019, cross-border pork shipments from Polynesia amounted to 4 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial increase of 40.6% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 thousand US dollars, which saw the most significant decline of 96.0%.

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

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

Imports pork to Polynesia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, pork imports into Polynesia declined. In 2020, imports totaled 2 951 tons, showing a substantial decrease of 19.0% compared to 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 3 642 tons, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 14.9%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, the three largest markets—France, Spain, and the United States—remained central to Polynesia's pork imports in volume terms, collectively accounting for 78.2% of total import flows.

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

Following two years of upward movement, pork imports into Polynesia declined. In 2020, imports registered 11 163 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a modest drop of 2.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall imports increased by 9.3%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 3.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 11 393 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring that same year at 7.2%.

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

Throughout the 2017–2020 period, France (37.2% of import value), Spain (25.8% of import value), and the United States (19.4% of import value) remained the key partners for Polynesia's pork imports in value terms, together representing 82.4% of total import flows.

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

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