Wheat and meslin flour and cereals market in Solomon Islands

Earlier Report Observations

The market for wheat and meslin flour and cereals in the Solomon Islands expanded consistently between 2018 and 2023, with total volume rising from 10 703 t to 17 505 t, an increase of over 60%. This growth was supported by both domestic output and a substantial rise in imports, which transformed from a minor source in 2018 to a major supply channel exceeding 2 700 t by 2023.

Following a period of more moderate expansion in 2019 and 2020, market growth accelerated sharply from 2021 onward. The years 2021 and 2022 saw the most significant gains, each adding over 2 000 t to the market volume, corresponding to annual growth rates of 20% and 15%, respectively.

By 2023, the market reached 17 505 t, with the growth rate moderating to 6%. The rising import volumes, which climbed every year throughout the period, indicate that external supply became increasingly important in meeting the growing domestic consumption.

Production wheat and meslin flour and cereals in Solomon Islands

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 the Solomon Islands declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, production stood at 10 062 tonnes, marking a gradual decrease of 3.7% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production increased by 3.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 10 595 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring that year at 8.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Solomon Islands in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports wheat and meslin flour and cereals from Solomon Islands

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from the Solomon Islands remained at 0.0 tonnes, showing no change compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 99.9%, resulting in an average annual decline of 90.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from the Solomon Islands were almost entirely concentrated in Nauru, which accounted for 99.9% of the total.

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

World map of product's exports from Solomon Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, exports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals from the Solomon Islands totaled 0.7 thousand US dollars, remaining broadly stable compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 84.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -45.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Nauru and Papua New Guinea dominated the export market in value terms, together accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports wheat and meslin flour and cereals to Solomon Islands

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 108 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 1 776 tonnes, representing a 17-fold difference. In 2020, imports showed a steep improvement of 39.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 64.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 1 081.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary suppliers of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to the Solomon Islands in kind were Indonesia (29.9% of imports), Australia (27.0%), and Fiji (25.8%), jointly accounting for 82.8% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports dropped to a minimum in 2018 at 46.8 thousand US dollars and climbed to their maximum in 2020 at 882.7 thousand US dollars, a 19-fold shift. In 2020, imports increased by 32.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 63.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 1 325.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Australia (33.6% of imports in value terms), Fiji (24.8%), and Indonesia (23.5%) played the leading roles in imports of wheat and meslin flour and cereals to the Solomon Islands, jointly taking 81.8% of total flows.

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

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