Agriculture Export Volumes
May 2018
Released on 22 August 2018 | Download the complete release | 
198 KB
| May 18 |
Apr 18 |
Mar 18 |
Feb 18 | |
| Total volumes (tonnes) |
471.4 | 825.1 | 689.3 | 353.8 |
Volume of root crops push agricultural exports lower
May 2018 was not a favorable month for exported agricultural commodities as the total agricultural exports decreased over the month by 353.7 tonnes (42.9%). The volume of exported root crops declined significantly by 348.8 tonnes (45.4%). In this category, yam declined the most by 131.9 tonnes (35.6%) followed by a decline of 112.4 tonnes (50.7%) and 108.9 tonnes (62.7%) in taro and cassava exports respectively (Figure 1). Other exported agricultural crops which also declined over the month included breadfruit, plantain, brown coconuts and taro leaves. These outweighed a rise in the export of other crops such as sweet potato, watermelon, kava powder and green coconuts (Figure 1 & 2). The decline in the export of these crops was due to seasonality. Additionally, the export of cassava was expected to decline due to the impact of the damages caused by Tropical Cyclone (TC) Gita on the cassava plantations. The Consumer Price Index report released by the Statistics Department also suggested low supply of root crops as the prices of yam, cassava, and swamp taro increased over the month of May 2018.
However, the total agricultural proceeds increased by $0.7 million over the month to a total of $1.2 million (Figure 3). This may be due to lagged effects on the receipt of proceeds for agricultural exports.
In year ended terms, the total agricultural export volume rose by 1,918.1 tonnes (16.9%) (Figure 4), supported by better harvest of root crops which included taro and yam, the exports of squash products, coconuts, plantain, pele and taro leaves, mulberry juice, papaya, and kava-Tonga products. These offset the decline in the export volume of cassava, sweet potato, watermelon and breadfruit over the year. The continuous funding from the Government’s Development Loan scheme also supported the yearly growth in the agricultural sector. The annual agricultural export receipts however fell by $0.3 million (3.2%) which may be due to proceeds left abroad as well as the time lag effect of receiving it. The increase in non-commercial agricultural exports where individuals send crops to families abroad may have also contributed to the decline in the receipts of export proceeds.
On the outlook, the Reserve Bank anticipates that the volume of agricultural exports will decline in the short term due to the devastation and damages from TC Gita on the plantations. However, the Reserve Bank anticipates a positive growth in the agricultural sector in 2017/18 as TC Gita struck mid-way through the 2017/18 financial year hence losses are anticipated to be felt towards the latter part of the year. This is supported by the various initiatives from the Government to help growers, and the positive attitude reflected by growers through the Reserve Bank’s liaison program towards recovery and replanting of crops following the cyclone. According to the Climate Update1 from the Tonga Meteorological Service, rainfall is forecasted to be average to above average for Tonga in the near term which remains favourable for the local food supply. The weather uncertainties still remain a risk to the outlook.The total agricultural exports continued on a favorable trend over the month increasing by 135.7 tonnes (19.7%). This was mainly attributed to the harvest of various yam types and taro (tarua, swamp and giant taro) whose exports rose by 192.1 tonnes and 91.1 tonnes respectively during the month. Other exported agricultural crops which also increased over the month included breadfruit and taro tarua leaves. This was sufficient to outweigh the decrease in all other exported agricultural commodities such as cassava, coconuts, plantain, sweet potatoes and mulberry juice. According to the Consumer Price Index report released by the Statistics Department, the average monthly prices for yam and taro declined over the month whilst the price of cassava, coconuts and sweet potatoes increased. The movement in prices is associated with the supply of these crops. When there is abundant supply of a particular crops its price falls and vice versa when there is limited supply in the market.
Agriculture Export Volumes Releases
Agriculture Export Volumes Releases for 2018
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May Released on 22 August 2018 | 198 KB |
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March Released on 29 June 2018 | 164 KB |
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April Released on 20 August 2018 | 196 KB |
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January Released on 10 May 2018 | 159 KB |
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February Released on 28 May 2018 | 152 KB |
2018
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December Released on 17 April 2018 | 273 KB |
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November Released on 16 March 2018 | 149 KB |
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October Released on 31 January 2018 | 150 KB |
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September Released on 27 December 2017 | 161 KB |
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August Released on 6 December 2017 | 157 KB |
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July Released on 23 November 2017 | 148 KB |
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June Released on 6 September 2017 | 156 KB |
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May Released on 3 August 2017 | 157 KB |
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April Released on 30 June 2017 | 155 KB |
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March Released on 16 June 2017 | 119 KB |
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February Released on 15 June 2017 | 159 KB |
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January Released on 15 June 2017 | 120 KB |
2016
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December Released on 9 June 2017 | 120 KB |
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November Released on 4 April 2017 | 394 KB |
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October Released on 4 April 2017 | 357 KB |
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September Released on 9 January 2017 | 362 KB |
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August Released on 11 November 2016 | 375 KB |
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July Released on 31 October 2016 | 425 KB |
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June Released on 5 September 2016 | 389 KB |
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May Released on 25 July 2016 | 422 KB |
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April Released on 30 June 2016 | 452 KB |
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March Released on 3 June 2016 | 488 KB |
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February Released on 29 April 2016 | 483 KB |
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January Released on 8 April 2016 | 433 KB |
2015
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December Released on 25 February 2016 | 607 KB |
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November Released on 23 December 2015 | 179 KB |
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October Released on 23 December 2015 | 179 KB |
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September Released on 2 December 2015 | 359 KB |
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August Released on 8 October 2015 | 358 KB |
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July Released on 21 September 2015 | 358 KB |
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June Released on 1 September 2015 | 462 KB |
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May Released on 27 July 2016 | 462 KB |
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April Released on 26 May 2015 | 469 KB |
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March Released on 13 May 2015 | 469 KB |
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February Released on 30 March 2015 | 469 KB |
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January Released on 4 March 2015 | 471 KB |
ECONOMIC RELEASES