Poultry meat and offal market in New Caledonia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, New Caledonia implemented tax advantages and subsidies to boost local poultry production, aiming to reduce reliance on frozen chicken imports from the United States, France, and Brazil. This policy framework initially coexisted with high imports, which dominated the market. In 2019, the establishment of a meat price monitoring commission to regulate margins coincided with a contraction in market volume to 10 049 t. The COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict in 2020 reinforced the push for food self-sufficiency, contributing to a market rebound to 11 742 t despite rising farm costs and revised purchase tariffs.

In 2021, market volume fell to 9 637 t as overall consumption declined, even though consumer preference shifted toward local poultry due to promotional campaigns and better traceability, while local meat prices stayed below international levels. By 2022, a 30-franc-per-kilo tariff increase for meat was introduced to safeguard farm sustainability amid inflationary pressures, alongside tighter cold-storage and marketing regulations. These measures helped stabilize the market at 9 863 t, with higher imports offsetting a drop in domestic output.

The market grew to 10 296 t in 2023, supported by ongoing public efforts to expand local production and continued cost inflation that affected pricing. The development of short supply chains and online direct sales further enhanced freshness and traceability for consumers.

Production poultry meat and offal in New Caledonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

World map of production of poultry meat and offal, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, poultry meat and offal production in New Caledonia rebounded. In 2020, production reached 1,876.0 tonnes, marking a significant 49.7% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production grew by 6.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1,253.2 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 18.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports poultry meat and offal from New Caledonia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, indicating a volatile market environment. From 2017 to 2019, exports varied significantly, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 2.1 times. In 2020, New Caledonia exported 0.3 tonnes of poultry meat and offal, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 0.3 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 113.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, New Caledonia's poultry meat and offal exports were almost exclusively directed to Vanuatu, which accounted for 100.0% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from New Caledonia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 5.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, New Caledonia exported $10,000 US worth of poultry meat and offal, showing little change from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at $10,000 US. The largest decline was in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 418.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market in value terms was extremely concentrated, with Samoa alone responsible for 100.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from New Caledonia in value, 2017-2020

Imports poultry meat and offal to New Caledonia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, New Caledonia imported 9,866 tonnes of poultry meat and offal, representing a 12.2% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 18.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 10.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 18.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—the United States, France, and Brazil—collectively accounted for 93.7% of total poultry meat and offal imports in kind to New Caledonia.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

New Caledonia's poultry meat and offal imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately $20,221,000 US, which is 9.4% higher than the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 24.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 7.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States (43.3% of imports in value terms), France (32.8%), and Brazil (17.1%) formed the core of imports, together accounting for 93.2% of total flows.

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

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