Overview
There is no manufacturing of food other than production of vegetables and meat at a primary level in addition to plentiful fish stocks. The country is largely self sufficient in these food categories. All classes of food commodities principally imported from NZ and are commercially available. Food, largely processed products, makes up approximately 15% of the county’s total imports. The major export commodity is fish, most of which goes to NZ and Japan.
Cook Islands Trading Company (CITC) is the major wholesaler and importer in the country accounting for 85% of all foodstuffs imported. They also operate retail outlets.
For more information on food supplier contact details, please see the following link: 4.10 Supplier Contact List
Retail Sector
There is a well established retail sector dominated by 2 large local businesses who have supply affiliations with NZ suppliers, they supply numerous smaller retailers and their own outlets. Credit is available to approved customers and the sector is stable.
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Types of Retailers Available |
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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. |
1 |
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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. |
2 |
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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. |
3 |
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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. |
4 |
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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 – Cook Islands Trading Company (CITC)
CITC account for around 85% of food imports and wholesale to all other outlets throughout the Cook Islands. It was founded in 1891 and is the largest and longest serving business enterprise in the Cook Islands Its operations include supermarkets, wholesale food distribution, department store, liquor store, building and hardware supplies, 24hr petrol station/store, pharmacy. It is the exclusive authorised distributor in the Cook Islands of many international brands.
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All operations are based on Rarotonga, the principal island of the Cook Islands. |
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Supplier Overview |
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Company Name |
Cook Islands Trading Company (CITC) |
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Address |
Main Road, Avarua. Rarotonga |
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Does the supplier have its own production / manufacturing capacity? |
No. All imported |
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Does the supplier have its own retail capacity? |
Yes. Has own retail outlets and supplies other retailers |
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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. Multiple warehouses |
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Approximate Turnover in MT |
N/a |
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Payment Methods Accepted |
Cash, electronic transfer and credit to approved customers |
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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) |
Service Location(s) |
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All operations based in Rarotonga, Supplies wholesale to other, small retailers on the outer islands |
Central Office and administrative functions based in Avarua, Rarotonga |
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Primary Goods / Commodities Available |
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|---|---|---|
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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 |
Meat of bovine animals, meat of sheep, dried or smoked meat of swine, sausages… |
Local and imported. |
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02 - Dairy products and birds’ eggs |
Milk, yogurt, butter, cheese, eggs… |
Imported |
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03 - Fish (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs… |
Fish (chilled or frozen), fish (salted or in brine), fish liver and roes… |
Local and imported. |
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04 - Cereals and cereal preparations |
Wheat, rice, flour of maize, pasta... |
Imported |
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05 - Vegetables and fruit |
Vegetables, fruit and nuts, jams/jellies, fruit juices… |
Local and imported. |
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06 - Sugars, sugar preparations and honey |
Sugars (beet or cane) raw, natural honey, fruit/nuts preserved by sugar … |
Imported |
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07 - Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof |
Coffee, cocoa, chocolate, tea, mate, pepper… |
Imported |
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09 - Miscellaneous edible products and preparations |
Ready-to-eat foods, margarine, sauces, soups and broths, yeasts… |
Imported |
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41 - Animal oils and fats |
Lard, fats and oils… |
Imported |
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42/43 - Fixed vegetable fats and oils, crude, refined or fractionated |
Soya bean oil, olive oil, maize oil, vegetable oil… |
Imported |
Wholesale – Prime Foods Ltd.
The company has been operating 7 years, supplying local and imported food.
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Supplier Overview |
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|---|---|
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Company Name |
Prime Foods Ltd |
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Address |
St Joseph Road, Avarua. Rarotonga |
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Does the supplier have its own production / manufacturing capacity? |
No. Processes some meat small-goods product locally |
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Does the supplier have its own retail capacity? |
Yes. Has own retail outlets and supplies other retailers |
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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 |
N/a |
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Payment Methods Accepted |
Cash, electronic transfer and credit to approved customers |
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Other Comments or Key Information |
|
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Other Locations |
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|---|---|
|
Region(s) |
Service Location(s) |
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All operations based in Rarotonga, Supplies wholesale to other, small retailers on the outer islands |
Central Office and administrative functions based in Rarotonga |
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Primary Goods / Commodities Available |
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|---|---|---|
|
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 |
Meat of bovine animals, meat of sheep, dried or smoked meat of swine, sausages… |
Local and imported. |
|
02 - Dairy products and birds’ eggs |
Milk, yogurt, butter, cheese, eggs… |
Imported |
|
03 - Fish (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs… |
Fish (chilled or frozen), fish (salted or in brine), fish liver and roes… |
Local and imported. |
|
04 - Cereals and cereal preparations |
Wheat, rice, flour of maize, pasta... |
Imported |
|
05 - Vegetables and fruit |
Vegetables, fruit and nuts, jams/jellies, fruit juices… |
Local and imported. |
|
06 - Sugars, sugar preparations and honey |
Sugars (beet or cane) raw, natural honey, fruit/nuts preserved by sugar … |
Imported |
|
07 - Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof |
Coffee, cocoa, chocolate, tea, mate, pepper… |
Imported |
|
09 - Miscellaneous edible products and preparations |
Ready-to-eat foods, margarine, sauces, soups and broths, yeasts… |
Imported |
|
41 - Animal oils and fats |
Lard, fats and oils… |
Imported |
|
42/43 - Fixed vegetable fats and oils, crude, refined or fractionated |
Soya bean oil, olive oil, maize oil, vegetable oil… |
Imported |
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.
