Main Food Suppliers
Most of the population engages in some form of subsistence production of food, with approximately half producing almost all their basic food needs through farming, sea harvesting, and animal husbandry.
Today, most of Tonga's agriculture is still based on traditional farming systems.
On their allotments, farmers often grow cash crops alongside subsistence crops. Root crops are both a staple of the Tongan diet and an export crop, and yams, taro, cassava and sweet potatoes dominate cropping systems.
In 2022 Tonga was the number 215 economy in the world in terms of total exports and the number 204 in total imports.
The top imports of Tonga are Refined Petroleum ($53.5M), Poultry Meat ($10.1M), Sheep and Goat Meat ($7.58M), Cars ($7.16M), and Large Construction Vehicles ($4.92M). Other than the refined petroleum the import for meat is the second highest.
The imports are mostly from Fiji ($71M), China ($56.7M), New Zealand ($53.5M), Australia ($16.3M), and United States ($12.6M).
The top exports of Tonga are Non-fillet Fresh Fish ($1.41M), Scrap Copper ($1.32M), Processed Crustaceans ($1.22M), Other Vegetables ($1.08M), and Perfume Plants ($1.06M).
Exporting mostly to United States ($3.94M) of non-fillet fish, Australia ($2.45M) of cassava, New Zealand ($1.55M) mainly of taro and cassava, Hong Kong ($1.08M) of processed crustaceans, and Belgium ($1.06M) of scrap copper. Tonga (TON) Exports, Imports, and Trade Partners | The Observatory of Economic Complexity (oec.world))
Although there is no manufacturing or production capacity, there is a wide variety of imported foods available largely imported from Australia and NZ. Generally, all food types can be imported and purchased locally from supermarkets or convenience stores.
Additional information can be located from sources which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For more specific and detailed overviews of food availability and market conditions, please consult the following sources:
For more information on food supplier contact details, please see the following link: 4.10 Supplier Contact List
Retail Sector
There are many medium sized retailers. These are generally stable, well-established family businesses supplying a wide range of imported goods from recognised international manufacturers. Credit is often available through finance companies.
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Types of Retailers Available |
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|---|---|
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Type of Retailer |
Rank (1-5) |
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Supermarket – concentrates mainly in supplying a range of food, beverage, cleaning and sanitation products; have significant purchasing power; are often part of national/regional/global chains. |
4 |
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Convenience Store/Mini Market – medium sized shop; offers a more limited range of products than supermarkets; usually has good/stable purchasing power; may be part of chain or cooperative. |
1 |
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Permanent shop with strong supply capacity – individually/family-owned store; usually offers fewer commodities and a limited selection of brands; good storage and reliable supply options. |
2 |
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Permanent shop with limited supply capacity – individually/family-owned store; offers fewer commodities and a limited selection of brands; limited storage and unstable supply options. |
3 |
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Mobile Shop/Market Stand – individually/family-owned store; usually offers fewer commodities and a limited selection of brands; may be found at outdoor markets, camps or unstable environments. |
5 |
Wholesale – Punjas Fiji
Manufacture and distribute quality foods, beverages and household cleaning and cosmetic products across Pacific-wide distribution network partners include Anchor, Coca Cola, Goodman Fielder, Heineken and Diageo.
Punjas also has in-house design, printing, plastic bottling and cardboard box-making operations.
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Supplier Overview |
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|---|---|
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Company Name |
Punjas Fiji Ltd |
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Address |
63, Vitogo Parade, Lautoka, Fiji (Punjas Head Office address) |
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Does the supplier have its own production / manufacturing capacity?
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In Fiji but not in Tonga |
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Does the supplier have its own retail capacity?
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No |
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Does the supplier have its own transport capacity? |
Yes |
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Does the supplier have its own storage facilities? |
Yes |
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Approximate Turnover in MT
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Not supplied |
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Payment Methods Accepted |
Cash. Credit with prior arrangement |
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Other Comments or Key Information |
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Other Locations |
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|---|---|
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Region(s) |
Punjas has established subsidiaries in Tonga, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea. Each subsidiary has nationwide distribution with offices, warehouses and transport infrastructure. |
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Primary Goods / Commodities Available |
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Commodities by Type** (SITC Rev 4 Division Code - Title) |
Comments |
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00 - Live animals (other than fish, crustaceans, molluscs, etc.) |
No |
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01 - Meat and meat preparations |
No |
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02 - Dairy products and birds’ eggs |
No |
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03 - Fish (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs… |
No |
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04 - Cereals and cereal preparations |
Wheat, rice, flour of maize and pasta. |
Goods are imported |
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05 - Vegetables and fruit |
Vegetables, fruit and nuts, jams/jellies, fruit juice |
Goods are imported |
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06 - Sugars, sugar preparations and honey |
Sugars (beet or cane) raw, natural honey, fruit/nuts preserved by sugar |
Goods are imported |
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07 - Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof |
Coffee, cocoa, chocolate, tea, mate, pepper… |
Goods are imported |
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09 - Miscellaneous edible products and preparations |
Ready-to-eat foods, margarine, sauces, soups and broths, yeasts… |
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41 - Animal oils and fats |
No |
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42/43 - Fixed vegetable fats and oils, crude, refined or fractionated |
Fixed vegetable fats and oils, crude, refined or fractionated |
Goods are imported |
**For non-FOOD products please see section 3.5.2 Additional Suppliers, and for FUEL/PETROLEUM products please see section 3.1 Fuel.
Disclaimer: Inclusion of company information in the LCA does not imply any business relationship between the supplier and WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.
Please note: WFP / Logistics Cluster maintain complete impartiality and are not in a position to endorse, comment on any company's suitability as a reputable service provider.
