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September 2019 HIGHLIGHTS :

INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE TRADE STATISTICS 

Merchandise trade provisional figures for September 2019 increased deficit balance of VT 3,038 million on increased value of imports VT 3,370 million and lower exports that of VT 332 million vatu. Domestic export earnings (excluding re-exports) decreased 27% in September 2019 over September 2018. Export decreases were attributed mainly by copra and cocoa.

The main shares of domestic products total value in September 2019 were: Kava at 58%, followed by coconut oil at 9%, beef at 8%, coconut meal at 2%, sawn timber and cocoa at 1% each, while other products accounts for 20%. Other products consisted of animal products, vegetable products, scrap metals , prepared food stuffs, beverages, spirits and tobaccos.

Coconut product exports totalled to VT 38 million in September 2019, showing 78% or VT 135 million vatu,decrease in comparison to September 2018. Coconut oil exports was the main contributor in September 2019 at VT 31 million vatu, followed by coconut meal at VT 7 million vatu.

Kava exports in September 2019 was VT 192 million vatu, 5% or VT 11 million in value decrease in comparison to 2018. However, beef exports showed significant increase by 82% or VT 12 million over September 2018. The country destinations for kava exports remained unchanged in September 2019 led by Fiji, New Caledonia, Kiribati and the United States of America, while beef exports mainly to Australia and Japan.

In terms of share of commodity groups to total imports receipts, mineral fuels represented the largest value (C.I.F) of VT 976 million or 29% of the total imports for home consumption in September 2019, followed by machines and transport equipment at 20%, food and live animals at 19%, basic manufactured products at 12%, miscellaneous manufactured goods at 8%, chemical products at 5%,beverages and tobacco at 3%, crude materials except fuels, goods not classified elsewhere, and oils, fats and waxes- at 1% each respectively.