Agriculture Export Volumes
May 2017
Released on 3 August 2017 | Download the complete release | 
157 KB
| May 17 |
Apr 17 |
Mar 17 |
Feb 17 |
|
| Total volumes (tonnes) |
800.4 | 537.5 | 583.1 | 407.1 |
Better month for harvest of root crops
The month of May recorded good harvest of root crops, the highest contributor to the overall increase in agricultural exports. The agricultural exports rose by 262.9 tonnes (48.9%), led by 161.9 tonnes increase in exported root crops. This was due to an increase in all exported root crops such as yam, taro, and cassava, except for sweet potato which slightly declined by 0.6 tonnes (48.1%). Additionally, according to an update from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (MAFF), four containers of watermelon were exported to New Zealand during the month, a total of 93.0 tonnes. Tonga exports watermelon to New Zealand starting in late April to November every year. Moreover, the total exports of coconuts rose by 68.9 tonnes (164.1%), and brown coconut recorded the highest volume of export so far this year at 97.5 tonnes. Moreover, despite the shortage of kava-Tonga supply, exports increased by 3.7 tonnes (61.6%) surpassing the past four months of 2017 at 9.6 tonnes. But it is still less than the average 13.8 tonnes per month exported in the 2015/16 financial year.
These favourable exports outweighed the decline in exported mulberry juice, breadfruit, plantain, and chestnut which are all attributed to seasonality of local produce.
The agricultural export proceeds received slightly increased by $0.3 million (229.6%) to $0.5 million which coincided with the significant rise in exports during the month. Accordingly, $0.2 million of the proceeds were payments for exported root crops followed by $0.1 million for kava.
Over the year, the total agricultural export volume rose by 2,905.8 tonnes (34.4%), supported by better harvest of root crops, the favourable squash, watermelon, and breadfruit season. These offset the decline in exports of kava-Tonga, coconuts, sandalwood, vanilla, and onion, over the year. The continuous support from the Government’s development loan scheme also supported the growth in the agricultural sector, with a rise of $2.5 million (31.1%) growth in loans to the agricultural sector. The annual agricultural export receipts also rose by $4.4 million (72.3%) to $10.6 million. The higher export receipts were for squash and crops (root crops and traditional crops), supported by the strengthening of the Japanese Yen and US dollar against the Tongan Pa’anga.
On the outlook, the Reserve Bank anticipates that the volume of exports will continue to increase in the near term supporting the expected growth in the agricultural sector. The year 2016/17 has seen better weather conditions than that of the previous years which will likely have favourable effects on the agricultural sector’s growth. In addition, the signing of the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus trade agreement scheduled for June 2017 may contribute to growth in the sector. On the downside, the export of Kava Tonga will continue to decline due to its low supply as a result of the drought in 2015 which also affected the kava rootstock.
Agriculture Export Volumes Releases
Agriculture Export Volumes Releases for 2017
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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