By Katalina Siasau

The prices of yam, taro, cassava, and other agricultural crops, are significantly high this year due to the shortage of local supply, and this is an impact of climate change, said the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and Forest, Lord Fohe, on the opening of the Tongatapu Royal Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism and Trade Show 2024 today. 

The theme for the one-day show is The Lifeline against the Natural Disasters & Climate Change.

HRH Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala officially opened the show this afternoon, 24 August, at the Manamo'ui Showground at 'Atele, Tongatapu. The Crown Prince was accompanied by the Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho, their three daughters, Princess Halaevalu Mata’aho, Princess Nanasipau’u Eliana, and Princess Salote Mafile‘o Pilolevu. Also attending was HRH Princess Latufuipeka Tuku’aho, the daughter of King Tupou VI.

A six months long el Nino drought on Tonga in 2023 was followed by continuous rainfall from January to March this year.

The Crown Prince said that the combination of drought and continuous rainfall had impacted Tonga's agriculture with very long yields and large losses, and resulting in a short supply to the local market.

"These challenges have seized the men and women of the ministries here, who in response, encouraged us the most inclusive and straightforward way is to plant trees. Both the ministries of climate change and agriculture campaign independently for the million trees planting program. From our coast to the inland areas, to protect us from the conditions that we are suffering," said the Crown Prince.

He reported that as a result of the drough and continuous rainfall, the local shortage of crops caused significant rise in the prices. The price of 'ufi (yam) in December 2023 was $100 pa'anga for 7kg. The price of lu (taro leaves) increased from $2 to $5 pa’anga, vegetable increases from $3 to $5 pa'anga, watermelon from $10 to $40 pa'anga.

The prices for kumala (sweet potato), talo futuna and talo Tonga (taro) are now $40 and $30 for cassava.

Today, there are kahokaho (yam) for $100 - $300 pa'anga, Lord Fohe said.

Decline in exports

The shortage of the supply to the local market also caused a significant decline in the export of agricultural products.

Squash pumpkin exports dropped to 400 tonnes from 2022-2023.

The export of Kava stayed the same in 2022-2023 with no increase, however, Tonga is still the leading Pacific Kava exporter to Australia, with 144 tonnes a year.

Lord Fohe said that regardless of the impacts of climate change, this exhibition day showed the true farmers, fishermen, and craftsmen of Tonga.

PM Hon. Hu’akavameiliku attended the show with Cabinet Ministers, also with some of the Pacific Forum Leaders. PI Forum Secretary General Baron Waqa, President of Nauru David Adeang, Kiribati Foreign Minister, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands Hilda Heine, and other VIP visitors enjoyed a tour around beautiful displays of agricultural crops, vegetables, and Tongan crafts such as ngatu and fala (Tongan mats), fresh displays of varieties of fish, and more.