Tomato market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

Tomato market volume in Polynesia expanded to 2,336 t in 2019 but then entered a downward trend, dropping to 1,872 t by 2023. The initial decline coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced demand from the foodservice sector and disrupted supply chains.

Subsequent years saw production constrained by rising energy costs, particularly for greenhouse operations, squeezing producer margins. While consumer preferences shifted toward local and organic tomatoes, this did not offset the overall market contraction. By 2024, increased competition from Moroccan exports in the European market added pressure on trade dynamics.

Domestic production fell from 2,186 t in 2021 to 1,813 t in 2023, reflecting the cumulative impact of higher input costs and possibly adverse local growing conditions. The market's reliance on imports also diminished, with inbound shipments falling sharply after 2019.

Production tomato in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of tomato, 2017-2020

World map of production of tomato, 2017-2020

Tomato production in Polynesia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 2 170 tonnes of tomatoes were produced, representing a modest year-on-year growth of 4.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 15%, which translates to an average annual increase of 4.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 859 tonnes. That same year saw the largest decline of 1.5%, while 2019 experienced the most significant increase at 11.3%.

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

Exports tomato from Polynesia

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed considerable volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 4.9-fold difference between these years. In 2019, Polynesia exported 0.8 tonnes of tomatoes, marking a 40.2% decrease from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1.3 tonnes, which represented an extraordinary increase of 389.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada remained the primary buyer of Polynesian tomatoes, accounting for 10.0% of total exports by volume.

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

Significant fluctuations characterized the export market's performance during this timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while 2018 saw the peak, resulting in a 2.7-fold swing. In 2019, tomato exports from Polynesia totaled 1 000 US dollars, showing a sharp decline of 40.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum export value occurred in 2018 at 2 000 US dollars, which represented a substantial increase of 165.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada was the principal market for Polynesian tomatoes in value terms, absorbing 19.1% of total export revenue.

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

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

Imports tomato to Polynesia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes followed an unstable pattern throughout the period. The lowest point occurred in 2020, while imports peaked in 2017, creating a 3.2-fold difference. In 2020, Polynesia imported 94.3 tonnes of tomatoes, representing a dramatic 64.8% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase in imports was recorded in 2019 at 19.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand remained the main source of tomato imports by volume, accounting for 78.6% of total imports, with the remainder distributed among various smaller markets.

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

The import market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. The period from 2017 to 2020 showed a 3.3-fold difference between the peak and trough. In 2020, Polynesia imported tomatoes worth 332 000 US dollars, marking a decline of 66.8% compared to the previous year. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 24.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, New Zealand continued to be the leading supplier of tomatoes to Polynesia in value terms, representing 72.6% of total import value, while the rest was spread across numerous other countries.

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

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