New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a French territory and comprises dozens of islands in the South Pacific. It has a population of over 269,900.

As well as having one of the region’s highest average incomes per capita, New Caledonia has around a quarter of the world’s nickel deposits. Its economy depends heavily on services, the mining of nickel and subsidies from France. Agriculture, forestry and fishing are also important.

Local agricultural products are unable to meet all of New Caledonia’s needs for meat, vegetables and fruit. Yams are a staple crop. In general, commercial agriculture has not succeeded despite efforts to establish sugarcane, cotton, rice, coffee and coconut-palm plantations.