Tonga is a country open to foreign trade, which represents 73% of the country's GDP (World Bank, latest data available). The country is a member of the Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), the South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement (SPARTECA), and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). According to figures from the national statistics agency, in 2022, the primary domestic exports comprised 68.8% of vegetable products, followed by live animals and animal products at 22%, and wood, cork, articles thereof, and plaiting material at 6.6%. The remaining 2.6% was distributed among other categories. As for imports, mineral products dominated at 24.9%, followed by prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits, and tobacco at 13.5%, machinery, mechanical, and electrical appliances and parts thereof at 13.1%, live animals and animal products at 10.4%, and vehicles, aircraft, and associated transport equipment at 7%. The remaining 31% was shared by other groups.
Once again, New Zealand emerged as Tonga's primary export destination in 2022, receiving 39.3% of its exports. This was followed by the United States of America at 21%, Australia at 16.3%, and Taiwan at 4.8%. Together, these nations represented 81% of the total export value. Similarly, New Zealand was the main source of imports for Tonga in 2022, contributing 23.5%, followed by Singapore at 23.2%, China at 12.6%, the U.S.A at 10.7%, and Fiji at 7.5%. Collectively, these countries accounted for 77.6% of the total import value (data Tonga Statistics Department).
The archipelago imports much more than it exports. As a result, it suffers from a chronic trade deficit, which should continue in the coming years despite substantial international aid. In 2022, Tonga exported merchandise worth USD 14 million against USD 245 million in imports. Concerning services, exports reached USD 44 million, still far below imports (USD 113 million – data WTO).
Foreign Trade Indicators | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Imports of Goods (million USD) | 238 | 229 | 246 | 268 | 265 |
Exports of Goods (million USD) | 20 | 15 | 16 | 13 | 9 |
Imports of Services (million USD) | 106 | 84 | 99 | 130 | 0 |
Exports of Services (million USD) | 97 | 52 | 45 | 58 | 0 |
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 5 | -4 | -13 | n/a | n/a |
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | -3 | -6 | -49 | n/a | n/a |
Trade Balance (million USD) | -206 | -191 | -198 | -201 | n/a |
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 87 | 86 | 73 | n/a | n/a |
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 65 | 65 | 61 | n/a | n/a |
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 22 | 21 | 13 | n/a | n/a |
Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank - Latest available data.
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0.0 bn USD of services exported in 2022 | |
---|---|
34.50% | |
22.88% | |
21.65% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 19.11% |
OtherOther | 55.48% |
Business travelBusiness travel | 2.53% |
15.20% | |
4.52% | |
1.20% | |
0.05% |
0.1 bn USD of services imported in 2022 | |
---|---|
46.36% | |
19.15% | |
Personal travelPersonal travel | 11.37% |
OtherOther | 34.49% |
Business travelBusiness travel | 7.78% |
15.70% | |
9.06% | |
7.82% | |
1.01% | |
0.85% | |
0.03% | |
0.02% |
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, Latest Available Data
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Latest Update: May 2024