MARKET SURVEY

Overview

The Port Vila Central Market Survey in December quarter of 2025 showed an overall volume increase of 23 percent compared to the previous quarter. Staple and Fruits produce contributed to the increase in the overall volume. (Refer to table 1 & 4)

The overall price increased by 2 percent compared to the previous quarter. Fruits and Vegetables food group contributed to the overall price increase. (Refer to table 2 & 5).

Staple Food Produce

The supply of Staple food produce increased by 41 percent when compared to the previous quarter, while the average weighted price decreased by -14 percent. Commodities that contributed to the increase in volume of staple produce were, Sweet Kumala (Potato) at 1,087 Kilograms, Banana green at 431 Kilograms, Dried Coconut at 212 Kilograms and Fiji Taro at 166 Kilograms.

When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, staple food produce volume increased by 392 Kilograms and its weighted average price also increased by 26 percent. (Refer to table 1 & 2).

Fruit Produce

An overview of Fruits supplied to Port Vila Central Market in the quarter under review showed an overall volume increase of 73 percent compared to the previous quarter, while its weighted average price increased by 5 percent. Fruits that contributed to the increase in price were, Water Melon at 29 percent, Pawpaw at 9 percent and Green Coconut at 3 percent. When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the quantity supply of fruits to the Port Vila Central Market increased by 59 percent and its weighted average price also increased by 24 percent. (Refer to table 1 & 2).

Vegetable Produce

The supply of Vegetables to the Port Vila Central Market in December quarter of 2025 recorded an overall volume decrease of -17 percent and its average price per kilograms increased by 7 percent compared to the previous quarter. Vegetable produces that contributed to the decrease in the overall volume were, Chinese cabbage at -51 percent, Pumpkin by -49 percent, White bowl cabbage at -34 percent, Lettuce at -11 percent and cucumber at -5 percent.

When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the supply of vegetables to the market decreased by -31 percent and its average weighted price increased by 2 percent. (Refer to table 1 & 2).

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The decline in most vegetable production during the December quarter is largely attributed to crop seasonality.

Seller Per Commodity Group

December quarter of 2025 recorded a total average of 271 sellers1 at the Port Vila Central Market. This is an increase of 44 percent of vendors when compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 56 percent of vendors when compared to the same quarter of the previous year. When compared to the previous quarter, Fruits produce vendors increased by 72 percent, Staple produce vendors increased by 49 percent and Vegetable produce vendors increased by 23 percent. When compared to December quarter of 2024, Staple, Fruits and Vegetables produce vendors increased by 54 vendors, 34 vendors and 10 Vendors respectively. (Refer to table 6).

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1 This is the total number of sellers at the market. However, one seller can sell more than 1 type of produce hence the analysis by sellers per produce

Value of Supplies

The average value of commodities at the Port Vila Central Market in the quarter under review recorded a value of VT1,429,000. This is an overall increase of 23 percent compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 66 percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year. (Refer to table 3)

Staple produce registered the largest share in value at 52 percent. Staple produce increased in value by 11 percent over the previous quarter and it also increased in value by 10 percent over the same quarter of the previous year.

Vegetable produce registered the second highest share in value by 27 percent. Vegetables produce increased by value VT174,000 when compared to the previous quarter and decreased by VT317,000 over the same quarter of the previous year. Fruits produce registered the least share in value at 21 percent. Fruits produce increased by 78 percent over the previous quarter and decreased by -43 percent over the same quarter of the previous year.

Concepts and Definitions

The Port Vila Market Survey was instigated to measure the price and volume of specific agricultural produces in the main market. The survey is conducted on a fortnightly basis.

The data analysed in this report shows quarterly average supply and prices of the commodities under study. Weights are based on 2016 using HIES 2010 and Agriculture Census 2007 and were used henceforth.