Tonga - 3.5 Food and Additional 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. Farmers join in cooperatives to supply bulk produce for the export market. Tonga’s exports in 2014 totalled $17.3 million. Non-Fillet Fish represented 19.4% followed by Other Vegetables at 10%. Agricultural exports account for around 66% of the country's total exports.

There is no major manufacturing or production capacity.

Of Tonga’s total imports in 2014, Poultry accounted for 5% ($12 mil) and Other Foodstuffs accounted for 11% ($30 mil). Of ‘Other Foodstuffs pasta (13%) and other prepared meat (12%).

In general, local produce can feed the local demand at a basic level. Most households have gardens and access to livestock or fish that will sustain them even in the aftermath of natural disasters. It should be noted that although Tonga imports large quantities of food, this is for variety not survival.

Generic country information can be located from sources which are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For a general overview of country data related to the service and supply sectors, please consult the following sources:

The Observatory of Economic Complexity – MIT (OEC): https://oec.world/en/profile/country/ton

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.

Tonga - 3.5.1 Food Suppliers

Main Food Suppliers

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.

Types of Retailers Available
Type of Retailer	Rank (1-5)
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
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
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
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
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.

Supplier Overview
Company Name	Punjas Fiji Ltd
Address	63, Vitogo Parade, Lautoka, Fiji (Punjas Head Office address)
Does the supplier have its own production / manufacturing capacity?	In Fiji but not in Tonga
Does the supplier have its own retail capacity?	No
Does the supplier have its own transport capacity?	Yes
Does the supplier have its own storage facilities?	Yes
Approximate Turnover in MT	Not supplied
Payment Methods Accepted	Cash. Credit with prior arrangement
Other Comments or Key Information

Other Locations
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.

Other Locations

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.

Primary Goods / Commodities Available
Commodities by Type** (SITC Rev 4 Division Code - Title)		Comments
00 - Live animals (other than fish, crustaceans, molluscs, etc.)	No
01 - Meat and meat preparations	No
02 - Dairy products and birds’ eggs	No
03 - Fish (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs…	No
04 - Cereals and cereal preparations	Wheat, rice, flour of maize and pasta.	Goods are imported
05 - Vegetables and fruit	Vegetables, fruit and nuts, jams/jellies, fruit juice	Goods are imported
06 - Sugars, sugar preparations and honey	Sugars (beet or cane) raw, natural honey, fruit/nuts preserved by sugar	Goods are imported
07 - Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof	Coffee, cocoa, chocolate, tea, mate, pepper…	Goods are imported
09 - Miscellaneous edible products and preparations	Ready-to-eat foods, margarine, sauces, soups and broths, yeasts…
41 - Animal oils and fats	No
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.

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.

Tonga - 3.5.2 Additional Suppliers

Overview

There are no manufacturers producing relevant materials for operational support equipment or key commodities that would typically be used in humanitarian operations and programming at a national level.

Similarly, there are no local wholesale operations supplying these materials.

Most items such as computers, office furniture, tents, etc can be procured at retail level only.

For more information on suppliers’ contact details, please see the following link: 4.10 Supplier Contact List

Wholesale – not present in Tonga

Supplier Overview
Company Name	Not present in Tonga
Address
Does the supplier have its own production / manufacturing capacity?	No. There is no local manufacturing or production
Does the supplier have its own retail capacity?	Not present in Tonga
Does the supplier have its own transport capacity?	Not present in Tonga
Does the supplier have its own storage facilities?	Not present in Tonga
Approximate turnover in USD - $	Not present in Tonga
Payment Methods Accepted	Not present in Tonga
Other Comments or Key Information

Other Locations
Region(s)	Service Location(s)
Not present in Tonga.	Not present in Tonga

Primary Goods / Commodities Available
Commodities by Type** (SITC Rev 4 Division Code - Title)		Comments
24/27 - Crude materials, inedible, except fuel	Stone/gravel	Local quarry
51 to 59 - Chemical and related products	Not present in Tonga
61 to 69 - Manufactured goods classified chiefly by material	Not present in Tonga
71 to 79 - Machinery and transport equipment	Not present in Tonga
81 to 89 - Miscellaneous manufactured articles	Not present in Tonga
91/93/96/97 - Commodities not classified elsewhere	Not present in Tonga

**For FOOD products please see section 3.5.1 Food Suppliers, and for FUEL/PETROLEUM products please see section 3.1 Fuel.

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.