Agriculture Export Volumes
February 2018
Released on 28 May 2018 | Download the complete release | 
152 KB
| Feb 18 |
Jan 18 |
Dec 17 |
Nov 17 | |
| Total volumes (tonnes) |
353.8 | 565.2 | 662.2 | 2,684.9 |
Downward trend continued due to Tropical Cyclone Gita
The damage caused by Tropical Cyclone (TC) Gita to the agricultural sector was estimated at $129.3 million as reported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (MAFF). These damages and the disruptions in economic acitivites during the month contributed to lower exports in February, which declined by 211.3 tonnes (37.4%). In previous years, agricultural exports would reflect a slight rebound following a slow month of January. However, TC Gita largely contributed to the lower exports for February 2018 to record a lower monthly average compared to February of the past five years. TC Gita also caused disruptions to the schedule of shipping vessels and other facilities necessary for exporting. This include damages to packing houses and power outage.
The overall decline in agricultural exports during the month was driven by a fall in major exported crops such as root crops, plantain and coconuts. The export of cassava fell by 115.3 tonnes (53.0%), giant taro (kape) declined by 49.0 tonnes (48.2%), and plantain and coconuts decreased by 37.0 tonnes (69.1%) and 11.0 tonnes (13.9%) respectively. These outweighed a rise in the exported volume of yam, taro and breadfruit over the month. These crops had its harvesting season during the month.
Despite the lower agricultural exports volume in February, the total agricultural proceeds increased by 20.5% to $0.7 million over the month. This reflected the lagged effects on the receipt of proceeds of agricultural exports as $0.3 million was received for squash exports. Additionally, $0.3 million were receipts for exported root crops and coconuts while the export of kava‐Tonga and nonu fruits each received $0.06 million and $0.04 million respectively.
Over the year, the total agricultural export volumes rose by 2,229.41 tonnes (20.3%), supported by better harvest of root crops which included all taro categories (giant (kape), swamp, and taro tarua), yam, the exports of coconuts, pele leaves, breadfruit, plantain, mulberry juice, papaya, pineapple, chestnut, squash products and watermelon. These offset the decline in the export volumes of cassava, sweet potato and kava‐Tonga (powder) over the year. The continuous support from the Government’s Development Loan scheme also supported the yearly growth in the agricultural sector. The annual agricultural export receipts however fell by $1.9 million (17.7%) 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 sent crops to families abroad may have also contributed to the decline in receipts of export proceeds.
On the outlook, the devastation and damages from TC Gita on plantations is expected to impact the agricultural export volumes, with an expected decline in the short term. Nevertheless the agricultural sector will reflect a growth in 2017/18 as TC Gita struck midway through the 2017/18 financial year hence losses are anticipated to be felt towards the latter part of 2017/18. Yet, the harvesting of root crops particularly yams and taro will take place in the coming months. The rainfall projections by the Tonga Meteorology Office (February 2018) had indicated an average to above average rainfall up to July 2018. This supported the replantation efforts by growers of fast growing crops after the cyclone; more harvesting is expected before the end of June 2018. Initiatives by MAFF to help growers is also encouraging to the agricultural sector. Weather uncertainties still remain a risk to the outlook.
Agriculture Export Volumes Releases
Agriculture Export Volumes Releases for 2018
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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