Vanuatu’s total imports rose from 9.7 billion Vatu in 2021 to a peak of 17.1 billion in 2023, before reducing to 11.5 billion in 2024. Key import commodities include petroleum oils, iron and steel, medicaments, and rice—highlighting the country’s reliance on external sources for energy, construction, health, and staple foods. The 2023 spike likely reflects post-pandemic recovery, infrastructure activity, and global price pressures. These trends underscore Vanuatu’s structural import dependency and the importance of resilient, diversified supply chains.

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This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Vanuatu statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Vanuatuan statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Vanuatu-specific metadata information.

Definition

The indicator “Exports by Commodity and Country” measures the total value, quantity, and unit price of goods exported from the country, disaggregated by commodity type and destination country. It reflects the composition and destination of national export flows.
Concept

The indicator is based on the concept of export-led growth and trade performance monitoring. Exports are a critical driver of economic development, foreign exchange earnings, and sectoral competitiveness. Disaggregating exports by commodity allows for sector-specific insights (e.g. agriculture, manufacturing), while analysis by country reveals trading relationships, market access, and export concentration risk. The inclusion of unit prices enables assessment of product competitiveness and value-addition trends.
Rationale

Monitoring exports is essential to understand how the national economy engages in international markets. Increases in export value may reflect improved global demand, increased production, or enhanced trade terms. Tracking exports by product supports sectoral planning (e.g. boosting cocoa or kava exports), while tracking by country highlights dependency on specific markets or emerging trade opportunities. Unit prices provide further context, helping identify price competitiveness and market positioning of key commodities.
Method of Computation

Export Value: Sum the reported value of each exported commodity by year and destination country, based on customs declarations. Export Quantity: Sum the total physical quantity (in kg/tonnes/litres) of each commodity exported. Unit Price: Divide export value by quantity to calculate the price per unit.

Formula: Total Export Value (VUV) = ∑ Export value by commodity and country Total Export Quantity (kg/tonnes/litres) = ∑ Export quantity by commodity Unit Price = Export Value ÷ Export Quantity
Unit of Measurement

Export Value: Million Vatu (VUV) Quantity: Kilograms or tonnes (as applicable) Unit Price: Vatu per kilogram/litre
Frequency of Collection

Annually
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