There was a trade balance deficit of VT 2,328 million for February 2017, a decline of VT 124 million compared to the same period last year.
According to the February statistics update from the Vanuatu National Statistics Office, the trade deficit balance was due to the value of total imports of VT 2,635 million exceeded that of total exports at VT 307 million.
There was a 46 per cent decline in domestic export earnings for February 2017 or VT 262 million over February 2016.
Kava constituted the largest export for February followed by copra then swan timber.
There was more kava exported in February this year compared to the same period last year.
There was an increase of VT 97 million in kava exports.
However, the exports of beef decreased by 71 per cent from VT 27 million to VT 8 million.
Japan is the largest importer of beef from Vanuatu.