MARKET SURVEY

Overview

The Port Vila Central Market Survey in March quarter of 2026 showed an overall volume decrease of -37 percent compared to the previous quarter. All food groups contributed to the decrease in the overall volume. (Refer to table 1 & 4)

The overall price increased by 27 percent compared to the previous quarter. All food groups contributed to the overall price increase in the quarter under review. (Refer to table 2 & 5).

Staple Food Produce

The supply of Staple food produce decreased by -10 percent when compared to the previous quarter, while the average weighted price increased by 7 percent. Commodities that contributed to the decrease in volume of staple produce were, Yam at -70 percent, Fiji Taro at -55 percent, Sweet Kumala (Potato) at -31 percent, Banana green at -20 percent, Island Taro at -19 percent and Manioc at -18 percent.

When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, staple food produce volume increased by 443 Kilograms and its weighted average price decreased by -14 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 decrease of -38 percent compared to the previous quarter, while its weighted average price increased by 16 percent.

Watermelon contributed to the overall price increase at 77 percent. When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the quantity supply of fruits to the Port Vila Central Market increased by 239 kilograms and its weighted average price also increased by 36 percent. (Refer to table 1 & 2).

Vegetable Produce

The supply of Vegetables to the Port Vila Central Market in March quarter of 2026 recorded an overall volume decrease of -71 percent and its average price per kilograms increased by 5 percent. Vegetable produces that contributed to the decrease in the overall volume were, White bowl cabbage at -99 percent, Pumpkin at -93 percent, Tomato at -88 percent, Carrot and cucumber at -64 percent each and Chinese cabbage at -20 percent. There were no Lettuce and Purple bowl cabbage sold at the market in the quarter under review.

When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the supply of vegetables to the market increased by 49 percent and its average weighted price also increased by 6 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

March quarter of 2026 recorded a total average of 183 sellers1 at the Port Vila Central Market. This is a decrease of -32 percent of vendors when compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 96 vendors when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

When compared to the previous quarter, all food group vendors decreased in volume. Vegetable’s vendors decreased by -60 percent, Fruits vendors decreased by -23 percent and Staple produce vendors decreased by -13 percent. When compared to March quarter of 2025, Staple, Fruits and Vegetables produce vendors increased by 46 vendors, 40 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 VT897,000. This is an overall decrease of -37 percent compared to the previous quarter and an increase of 99 percent compared to the same quarter of the previous year. (Refer to table 3)

Staple produce registered the largest share in value at 61 percent. Staple produce decreased in value by -17 percent over the previous quarter however it increased in value by VT349,000 over the same quarter of the previous year.

Fruits produce registered the second highest share in value by 29 percent. Fruits produce decreased in value by -42 percent, however it increased in value by VT133,000over the same quarter of the previous year.

Vegetables produce registered the least share in value at11 percent. Vegetables produce decreased in value by -71 percent over the previous quarter and decreased by -28 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.