Overview

The Port Vila Central Market Survey in September quarter of 2025 showed an overall volume increase of 32 percent compared to the previous quarter. Fruits, and Vegetables produce contributed to the increase in the overall volume. (Refer to table 1 & 4).

The overall price decreased by -9 percent compared to the previous quarter. Fruits and Vegetables produce contributed to the overall price decrease. (Refer to table 2 & 5).

Staple Food Produce

The supply of Staple food produce decreased by -9 percent when compared to the previous quarter, while the average weighted price increased by 15 percent.

Commodities that contributed to the increase in price of staple produce were Banana green by 69 percent, Dried coconut by 53 percent, Manioc by 44 percent, Fiji Taro by 9 percent, Sweet Kumala (Potato) and Yam at 8 percent each.

When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, staple food produce volume decreased by -10 percent and its weighted average price increased by 21 percent. (Refer to table 1 & 2).

C

Fruit Produce

An overview of Fruits supplied to Port Vila Central Market in the quarter under review showed an overall volume increase of 65 percent compared to the previous quarter, while its weighted average price decreased by -9 percent. Fruits that contributed to the decrease in price were, Water melon by -16 percent, Green coconut by -13 percent and Ripe banana at -2 percent. When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the quantity supplied of fruits to the Port Vila Central Market decreased by -43 percent and the weighted average price increased by 51 percent. (Refer to table 1 & 2).

Vegetable Produce

The supply of Vegetables to the Port Vila Central Market in September quarter of 2025 recorded an overall volume increase of 78 Kilograms and the average price per kilograms decreased by -11 percent compared to the previous quarter.

All vegetable produces contributed to the increase in the overall volume of vegetables supplied to the market in the quarter under review except Island cabbage which decreased by -19 percent.

When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the supply of vegetables to the market decreased by -50 percent and its average weighted price increased by 3 percent. (Refer to table 1 & 2).

Seller Per Commodity Group

September quarter of 2025 recorded a total average of 188 sellers1 at the Port Vila Central Market, which is an increase of 31 vendors when compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of -10 vendors when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

When compared to the previous quarter, vegetables produce vendors increased by 39 vendors, fruits produce vendors increased by 26 percent and staple produce vendors decreased by -6 percent

When compared to September quarter of 2024, Vegetables and Fruits produce vendors decreased by -20 percent and -3 percent respectively while Staple produce vendors remained unchanged. (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 VT1,163,000. This is an overall increase of 42 percent compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of -28 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.