Exporting Yams and Rootcrops from Tonga

A Brief Discussion

A brief discussion of what's involved in exporting root crops from Tonga to overseas markets, especially Auckland, New Zealand. Tongan yam and Pacific root crops have increasingly become a major industry in New Zealand especially in Auckland where close to 500,000 of the 2 million population are Pacific Island people. Tonga, Fiji and Samoa were the traditional suppliers of bananas and root crops but are struggling to keep up with demand. Ecuador/South America and the Philippines have taken over the banana industry. New players in the Auckland market like Vietnamese yam and taro, Indian cassava and Phillipino plantain find a market needing supply. Auckland Tongans are buying Vietnamese yam and taro even Indian cassava because their traditional suppliers from the Pacific cannot keep up with demand.