Yams market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

The yam market in Polynesia underwent a major contraction in 2019, with volume falling to 3 297 т from 7 543 т in 2018. This drop was driven by a sharp decline in domestic production alongside a notable rise in exports. A steady recovery followed over the next four years, bringing the market size to 4 935 т by 2023.

Following the 2019 downturn, local production stabilized at approximately 5 000–5 100 т annually. Export volumes, however, showed significant year‑to‑year fluctuations, which directly influenced the amount of yams remaining for domestic consumption, while imports played a negligible role throughout the period.

In 2024, several initiatives aimed at promoting local products were launched, including the reopening of a Polynesian market in Paris for cultural and commercial promotion and the establishment of a new direct‑sale market for local producers in Tahiti. Regulatory texts affecting market access and public procurement were also updated during the year.

Production yams in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of yams, 2017-2020

World map of production of yams, 2017-2020

After two years of decline, yam production in Polynesia increased in 2020. That year, 5 117 tonnes of yams were produced, marking a 2.2% rise compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually fell by 46.1%, with an average annual decline of 18.6%. The lowest point was in 2019, with only 5 006 tonnes produced, and the sharpest drop occurred that same year at 41.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following two years of decrease, the value of yam production in Polynesia rebounded in 2020. Output was valued at 5 840 thousand US dollars, showing a strong year-on-year increase of 12.2%. Despite this recent uptick, over the 2017-2020 period, production value declined by 57.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -24.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 204 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline also occurred in 2019, at 48.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Polynesia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports yams from Polynesia

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 951 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 2 433 tonnes—a 2.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Polynesia exported 2 433 tonnes of yams, representing a significant 42.3% increase from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018 at 25.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 79.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia and New Zealand dominated exports in volume, together accounting for 87.8% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

Yam exports from Polynesia increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. Export volume totaled 2 777 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 56.3% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 51.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.9%. The minimum value was in 2018 at 1 135 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 38.0%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 56.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia and New Zealand together captured 94.9% of total exports in value terms, while the rest of the flows were thinly spread across other markets.

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

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

Imports yams to Polynesia

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports bottomed in 2019 at 0.0 tonnes, then peaked in 2020 at 2 tonnes—a 371-fold difference. In 2020, Polynesia's yam import volume reached 2 tonnes, representing a dramatic 36,998.9% uptick compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 93.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Fiji were notable suppliers of yams to Polynesia, jointly accounting for 9.3% of total imports in volume.

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

Volatility marked the market behavior during these years. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 0.0 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2020 at 2 thousand US dollars—a 63-fold difference. In 2020, imported yam volumes in Polynesia stood at 2 thousand US dollars, indicating a substantial improvement of 6,247.5% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2019 at 87.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States and Fiji remained key destinations for imports in value terms, with a combined share of 30.4% of total flows.

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

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