Copra was Vanuatu’s main export commodity for the first month of this year standing at VT386 million or 62% share in value.
This was followed by kava at VT56 million then beef and cocoa at 5% each according to provisional trade figures for January 2017 released by Vanuatu National Statistics Office last Friday.
Vanuatu recorded a trade deficit balance of VT 1,984 million, a deterioration of VT 783 million compared to January 2016.
This trade deficit balance was due to the value of imports VT 2,576 million, exceeded that of total exports of VT 591 million.
Domestic export earnings (excluding re-exports) for January 2017 stood at VT 591 million, a slight increase of 1% or VT 7 million over January 2016.
Copra exports increased by 56% in January 2016 compared to January 2016 while coconut oil decreased by 61% from VT 54 million in January 2016.
Kava exports recorded a decrease in value to VT 56 million or 68% in January 2017 compared January 2016.
Beef exports increased by 40% in January 2017 over the same period of the previous year.
Japan, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands were the largest importers of beef from Vanuatu.
Machines and transport equipment were the largest imports for home consumption in January 2017.
Photo file: Copra dryer in Vanuatu