Food Suppliers Overview

Other than fish and coconut products, Palau imports all food goods. Food is retailed through 3 main supermarkets in the retail space, that provide small wholesaling function attached to their main retail forms of business. These super markets are Surangel, WCTC and Payless, and are the main food importers into the country. There are also small grocery retailers in Koror, but less so in other states. They can, along with other local entrepreneurs, import additional food stocks if required. There is no food processing industry in Palau.

All supermarkets sell dairy, meat products, rice, sugar and oils. Cereals and pulses are imported in a much more limited way, but are available.

Though the food available is based on a combination of local and Western culture, there is a strong Japanese influence, which has brought sushi and Japanese’s restaurants to be situated throughout Koror. Given the work force is primarily supported by immigrant labour there is also an influence from the Philippines and the Indian subcontinent. As such, supplies for such foods are readily available.

For more information on food supplier contact details, please see the following link: 4.9 Additional Suppliers Contact List

Retail Sector

The primary retail sector is by way of 3 local supermarkets who are direct importers of their products and compete with each other. There are no global retailers.

Retailers Available
Type of Retailer	Rank (1-5)
Supermarkets - concentrate mainly on supplying a range of food, beverage, cleaning and sanitation products; have significant purchasing power; are often part of national/regional/global chains.	3
Convenience Stores/Mini Markets – medium sized shop; offer a more limited range of products than supermarkets; usually have good/stable purchasing power; may be part of chain or cooperative.	3
Permanent shops with strong supply capacity – individually/family-owned store; usually offer fewer commodities and a limited selection of brands; good storage and reliable supply options.	3
Permanent shops with limited supply capacity – individually/family-owned store; offer fewer commodities and a limited selection of brands; limited storage and unstable supply options.	3-5
Mobile Shops/Market Stands – individually/family-owned store; usually offer fewer commodities and a limited selection of brands; may be found at outdoor markets, camps or unstable environments.	Multiple

Wholesale

Wholesale suppliers are the same retail supermarket companies as listed above: Sarabgel, WCTC and Payless. The former two have been established for over 30 years, while Payless was established within the last 10 years.

Supplier Overview
Company Name	Sarangel
Address	Surangel Building, 4th Floor, Ernguul Road Ikelau Koror, 295 Main St, Koror, PW 96940, Palau
Does the supplier have its own production/ manufacturing capacity?	No
Does the supplier have its own retail capacity?	Yes, it supplies direct to public.
Does the supplier have its own transport capacity?	Yes
Does the supplier have its own storage facilities?	Yes
Approximate Turnover in mt	N/A
Payment Methods Accepted	Cash at retail level / credit card at retail level
Other Comments or Key Information

Supplier Overview
Company Name	Western Caroline Trading Company (WCTC)
Address	Main Road Koror
Does the supplier have its own production/ manufacturing capacity?	No
Does the supplier have its own retail capacity?	Yes, it supplies direct to public.
Does the supplier have its own transport capacity?	Yes
Does the supplier have its own storage facilities?	Yes, but small
Approximate Turnover in MT	N/A
Payment Methods Accepted	Cash at retail level / credit card at retail
Other Comments or Key Information

Supplier Overview
Company Name	Payless
Address	Main Road Koror
Does the supplier have its own production/ manufacturing capacity?	No
Does the supplier have its own retail capacity?	Yes, supplies direct to public.
Does the supplier have its own transport capacity?	No
Does the supplier have its own storage facilities?	Limited
Approximate Turnover in mt	N/A
Payment Methods Accepted	Cash at retail level
Other Comments or Key Information

Other Locations
Region(s)	Service Location(s)
Peliliu, Angaur, Kayangel	Small convenience stores only

Primary Goods / Commodities Available
Commodities by Type**		Comments
00 - Live animals (other than fish, crustaceans, molluscs, etc.)	None	Communities have chickens and pigs for local consumption.
01 - Meat and meat preparations	Primarily chicken and pork. Processed meats such as sausages. Canned spam, processed ham, bacon.
02 - Dairy products and birds’ eggs	Milk, yogurt, butter, cheese, eggs.
03 - Fish (not marine mammals), crustaceans, molluscs…	Fish (chilled or frozen), fish (salted or in brine), fish liver, fish roe.	Fish available to catch locally include tuna and Mahi Mahi.
04 - Cereals and cereal preparations	Predominantly rice, flour and pasta.	Imported.
05 - Vegetables and fruit	Vegetables, fruit and nuts, jams/jellies, fruit juice.	Tropical fruit and fresh salad vegetables are grown locally, as is traditional food such as Taro and breadfruit. Citrus fruit apples and other vegetables are mostly imported.
06 - Sugars, sugar preparations and honey	Processed sugars, processed honey, fruit/nuts preserved with sugar.
07 - Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices and manufactures thereof	Coffee, cocoa, chocolate, tea, mate, pepper.
09 - Miscellaneous edible products and preparations	Ready-to-eat foods, margarine, sauces, soups.	There is a large range of processed food available in supermarkets.
41 - Animal oils and fats	There is a limited supply of animal fats
42/43 - Fixed vegetable fats and oils, crude, refined or fractionated	Olive oil and vegetable oil.

**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 the WFP / Logistics Cluster, and is used solely as a determinant of services, and capacities.

Please note: The 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.