Port Vila Central Market Survey - March 2024
The Port Vila Central Market Survey summarises selected agricultural produces sold at the main wet market based on the Supply and Price of commodities. Data is collected on a fortnightly basis, analysed and published as quarterly average and by commodity groups.
Summary of Findings
The Port Vila Market Survey of March quarter of 2024 showed an overall Volume decrease of -45 percent on the supply of commodities while the overall price decreased by -36 percent compared to the previous quarter.
- Decrease in the volume of Staple and Vegetables produce supplied to the market contributed to the decrease in the overall volume index compared to the previous quarter.
- The value of commodities decreased by -45 percent at just over VT571,270.
- An average of 92 sellers was recorded for the quarter under review.
Overview
The Port Vila Market Survey in March quarter of 2024 showed an overall volume decrease of -45 percent compared to the previous quarter. Staple and Vegetables produce contributed to the decrease in the overall volume. (Refer to table 1 & 4).
The overall price decreased by -36 percent compared to the previous quarter. Fruits and vegetables produce contributed to the decrease in overall price. (Refer to table 2 & 5).
Staple Food Produce
The supply of Staple food produce decreased by -17 percent when compared to the previous quarter, while the average price increased by 5 percent in the same quarter under review. Commodities that contributed to the decrease in volume were Yam at -88 percent, Sweet Potato (Kumala) at -55 percent, Manioc at -28 percent and Fiji Taro at -2 percent. When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the volume of Staple food decreased by -38 percent, while it’s weighted average price increased by 50 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 2 percent compared to the previous quarter. Fruits that contributed to the increase in volume were Ripe banana at 45 percent and Pawpaw at 27 percent, while its average price decreased by -55 percent. There was no water melon sold at the Port Vila market in the quarter under review.
When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the quantity supplied of fruits to the Central Market decreased by -68 percent and the average price per kilograms decreased by -5 percent. (Refer to table 1 & 2).
Vegetable Produce
The supply of Vegetables to the Port Vila Central Market in March quarter of 2024 recorded an overall decrease of -74 percent and the average price per kilograms decreased by -60 percent compared to the previous quarter. Vegetables produces that contribute to the decrease in the overall vegetables supplies includes, cucumber at -92 percent, Tomato at -84 percent and Pumpkin at -14 percent. There was no White bowl cabbage, purple bowl cabbage, Chinese cabbage and Lettuce sold at the Port Vila central market in the quarter under review.
When compared to the same quarter of the previous year, the supply of vegetables supplied to the market decreased by -21 percent and its average weighted price also decreased by -55 percent. (Refer to table 1 & 2).
Sellers per Commodity Groups
March quarter of 2024 recorded a total average of 92 sellers1 at the Port Vila Central Market which is a decrease of 70 vendors when compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of 61 vendors when compared to the same quarter of the previous year.
When compared to the previous quarter, Fruits produce vendors increased by 51 percent while Vegetables produce vendors decreased by -78 percent and Staple produce vendors also decreased by -35 percent in the quarter under review.
When compared to March quarter of 2023, Staple, Fruits and Vegetables vendors decreased by -54 percent, -29 percent and -33 percent respectively. (Refer to table 6).
Value of Supplies
The average value of commodities at the Port Vila Central Market in the quarter under review recorded a value of VT571,270. This is an overall decrease of -45 percent compared to the previous quarter and a decrease of –42 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. (Refer to table 3).
Staple produce registered the largest share in value at 59 percent. Staple produce decreased in value by VT13,000 over the previous quarter and decreased in value by VT101,000 over the same quarter of the previous year. Fruits produce registered the second largest share in value at 28 percent. Fruits produce decreased in value by VT64,000 over the previous quarter and decreased in value by VT229,000 over the same quarter of the previous year. Vegetables produce registered the least share in value at 13 percent. Vegetables produce decreased in value by VT394,000 over the previous quarter and decreased in value by VT76,000 over the same quarter of the previous year.
Tables Download
Table 1 - Quantity Supplied (in kilograms)
Table 2 - Weighted Average Price Per Kilograms (in Vatu)
Table 3 - Value of Supplies (in Vatu thousands)
Table 4 - Volume Index (2016 = 100)
Table 5 - Price Index (2016 = 100)
Table 6 - Number of Sellers
Download all Tables
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.
