Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in New Caledonia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in New Caledonia expanded from 15 014 t in 2018 to 15 785 t in 2023, with intermittent fluctuations. Throughout this period, the market remained heavily reliant on imported wheat, processed by three dominant millers: Saint‑Vincent, Goodman Fielder and SEB. In 2019, the first experimental harvest of local wheat—140 t initially aimed at animal feed—signaled a potential shift toward domestic supply for food-security purposes, though it did not immediately alter import volumes. Market volume dipped in 2021, then recovered in 2022 when rising global wheat price volatility prompted millers to secure 12‑month supply contracts, helping to maintain flour availability.

By 2024, the import-dependent supply chain proved vulnerable when civil unrest in May‑June led to the temporary shutdown of the Saint‑Vincent and La Coulée mills. Authorities authorized emergency wheat imports to address the shortage, highlighting the market's exposure to logistical disruptions despite steady consumption rates reported by local bakeries.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in New Caledonia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

World map of production of wheat and meslin flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals production in New Caledonia has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 13 705 tonnes, marking a 1.3% gain over the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%.

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

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from New Caledonia

Exports in kind, t

The export market showed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.0 tonnes, then peaked in 2017, with a 147-fold difference between these years. In 2020, New Caledonia's exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals totaled 0.0 tonnes, remaining nearly unchanged compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 98.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and French Polynesia clearly dominated the partner structure for exports in kind, while other countries together accounted for the remaining share.

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 export market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.1 thousand US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2017, showing a 33-fold fluctuation. In 2020, cross-border shipments of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from New Caledonia were recorded at 0.1 thousand US dollars, with no significant change year-over-year compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, at 96.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, French Polynesia and France remained the main markets for exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 96.3% of total flows, while other partners formed the remaining share.

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 wheat and meslin flour and cereals to New Caledonia

Imports in kind, t

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into New Caledonia have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 2 029 tonnes, indicating an 11.8% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 8.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 742 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (51.6% of imports in kind), Italy (28.0% of imports in kind), and Australia (17.3% of imports in kind) stood out as the main markets for imports in kind, together representing 96.9% of total flows.

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

Wheat and meslin flour and cereals imports into New Caledonia have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 1 376 thousand US dollars, reflecting a notable improvement of 11.9% compared with 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 906 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 20.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 35.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France (53.5% of imports in value terms), Italy (23.1% of imports in value terms), and Australia (19.6% of imports in value terms) played the leading roles in imports in value terms of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to New Caledonia, jointly taking 96.1% 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