In comparison, global exports from all countries worldwide equaled $19.347 trillion in 2018, rising 2.4% in value since 2014 but appreciating by 10.2% from 2017. Putting that latest trade metrics into perspective, Oceanian exports represent an estimated 1.6% of all worldwide shipments.
Oceania is a geographic region comprised of many islands mostly sprinkled over the southern Pacific Ocean. Some people assume that Oceania is limited to Australia and New Zealand, but those are just two island nations that are admittedly top of mind when searching for internationally sold products.
Based on statistics from the International Monetary Fund’s World Economic Outlook Database, the total Gross Domestic Product for Oceanian countries (where statistics are available) equals $1.563 trillion for 2018. Therefore, exported goods represent 19.9% of Oceania’s total economic output for 2018 in Purchasing Power Parity dollars.
Given Oceania’s population of about 41.9 million people as of August 2019, its $310.4 billion in 2018 exports translates to an estimated $7,400 for every person living in this South Pacific collection of islands.
Top Oceanian Export Countries
Below are the top Oceanian export countries that attained the highest dollar value in global shipments during 2018. Also shown is each country’s overall share of Oceanian exports and its change in value from 2014 to 2018.
| Rank | Exporter | 2018 Exports (US$) | %Total | Since 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Australia | $253,827,863,000 | 81.8% | +0.5% |
| 2. | New Zealand | $39,838,899,000 | 12.8% | -4.3% |
| 3. | Papua New Guinea | $11,218,054,000 | 3.6% | +12.6% |
| 4. | New Caledonia | $2,125,486,000 | 0.7% | +31.3% |
| 5. | Fiji | $1,015,640,000 | 0.3% | -26% |
| 6. | Marshall Islands | $774,114,000 | 0.25% | -11.2% |
| 7. | Solomon Islands | $569,112,000 | 0.18% | +24.1% |
| 8. | French Polynesia | $191,191,000 | 0.06% | +12.4% |
| 9. | Vanuatu | $177,119,000 | 0.06% | -45.7% |
| 10. | Kiribati | $136,472,000 | 0.04% | +1,243% |
| 11. | Niue | $132,037,000 | 0.04% | +3,587% |
| 12. | Micronesia | $129,576,000 | 0.042% | +240.2% |
| 13. | Tokelau | $52,048,000 | 0.017% | +158.9% |
| 14. | Samoa | $46,101,000 | 0.015% | -9.5% |
| 15. | Cook Islands | $44,437,000 | 0.014% | +28.8% |
| 16. | Tuvalu | $30,567,000 | 0.01% | +308.9% |
| 17. | Christmas Island | $21,692,000 | 0.007% | -40.1% |
| 18. | Nauru | $18,209,000 | 0.006% | -42% |
| 19. | Tonga | $13,775,000 | 0.004% | -27% |
| 20. | Palau | $8,621,000 | 0.003% | -24.4% |
| 21. | American Samoa | $5,602,000 | 0.0018% | +12,078% |
| 22. | Cocos (Keeling) Islands | $4,735,000 | 0.0015% | -56.5% |
| 23. | Northern Mariana Islands | $3,611,000 | 0.0012% | +30.5% |
| 24. | Norfolk Island | $2,905,000 | 0.0009% | -33.6% |
| 25. | Pitcairn | $1,948,000 | 0.00063% | +56.2% |
| 26. | Guam | $664,000 | 0.00021% | no 2014 data |
| 27. | Wallis/Futuna Islands | $468,000 | 0.00015% | -77.7% |
Combined, Australia and New Zealand account for 94.6% of the value for all goods originating from Oceania.
See also Australia’s Top 10 Exports, New Zealand’s Top 10 Exports, Australia’s Top 10 Imports and New Zealand’s Top 10 Imports
Research Sources:
International Monetary Fund, World Economic Outlook Database (GDP based on Purchasing Power Parity). Accessed on August 21, 2019
International Trade Centre, Trade Map. Accessed on August 21, 2019
The World Factbook, Field Listing: Exports and World Population, Central Intelligence Agency. Accessed on August 21, 2019
Wikipedia, Oceanian countries by population. Accessed on September 14, 2018
Worldometers, Oceanian population. Accessed on August 21, 2019
