Poultry meat and offal market in Vanuatu

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Vanuatu's poultry market volume remained relatively stable, ranging between 5 067 t and 5 213 t. Domestic production, however, declined from 1 404 t to 1 296 t, constrained by longstanding challenges in the sector: high transport and energy costs, insecure supply chains, and underutilization of local feed resources such as copra cake, cassava, and brewery by-products. These factors limited the development of local poultry farming and maintained reliance on imports.

The market expanded sharply to 6 026 t in 2021, driven by a surge in imports to 4 831 t, while production fell further. After a dip to 5 606 t in 2022, the market reached a peak of 6 469 t in 2023, with imports hitting 5 470 t and production dropping below 1 000 t. This import volatility underscores Vanuatu's heavy dependence on foreign supplies, which accounted for 2.4% of total imports in 2022. High customs duties, non-tariff barriers, and a monopoly on poultry slaughter have hindered both market integration and the growth of domestic broiler production.

In 2024, imports continued to rise, reaching 6 248 t, signaling persistent import dependency. The government banned poultry sales outside authorized sites to curb illegal trade and enhance food safety, which may reshape retail channels. Concurrent policies aim to foster a business-friendly environment in agriculture, though their impact on local output remains to be seen.

Production poultry meat and offal in Vanuatu

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

Vanuatu's poultry meat and offal production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 296 tonnes, representing a moderate 5.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 404 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 3.3%.

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

Exports poultry meat and offal from Vanuatu

According to available market data, Vanuatu did not export any poultry meat and offal between 2017 and 2020.

Imports poultry meat and offal to Vanuatu

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Vanuatu imported 3 793 tonnes of poultry meat and offal, marking a 2.6% increase from 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 12.1%, averaging an annual rise of 3.9%. The peak import volume occurred in 2018 at 3 810 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 12.6%. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline, with imports dropping by 2.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and New Zealand were the primary sources for Vanuatu's poultry meat and offal imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 94.0% of total imports. The remaining 6.0% was distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Vanuatu's poultry meat and offal imports totaled 7 762 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest 0.8% year-on-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 13.9%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 4.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 8 077 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual surge of 18.5%. Conversely, 2019 experienced the most notable decrease, with imports falling by 4.7%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Australia and New Zealand dominated Vanuatu's poultry meat and offal imports in monetary terms, together capturing 90.4% of the total import value. Other trading partners contributed a smaller share to the overall import structure.

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

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