Non-sugar sector

The non-sugar sector, which comprises of hunting, forestry and fishing, increased by 3.9 percent in 2011, representing 2.3 percent of GDP. In 2010, the non-sugar sector had increased by 1.4 percent.

In 2011, a growth of 21.8 percent was noted in both Green leaves and manufactured tea, despite lower area under tea cultivation by 6.7 percent. Favourable climatic conditions for the production of tea are the main cause behind the growth. For tobacco, the area under cultivation increased by 4.2 percent, and production increased by 11.3 percent.

For food crops, in 2011 a 0.7 percent increase in production from 114,844 tonnes to 115,618 tonnes was noted despite the area under harvest falling by 2.7 percent.

Tonnage of beef decreased by 7.8 percent from 2023 tonnes to 2194 tonnes in 2011. Local beef production, inclusive of Rodrigues, increased by 54.5 percent to reach 136 tonnes. This rise in production is the result of different schemes under the Food Security Fund. Local production is increasing its share in total production, from 4.0 percent in 2010 to 6.7 percent in 2011.

Goat meat and mutton production fell from 68 tonnes to 62 tonnes in 2011, as a result of a fall in the production of meat from the slaughter of imported animals. Pork production, on the other hand, increased by 4.3 percent. Poultry production increased from 46,600 tonnes in 2010 to 47,000 tonnes in 2011 while fish production fell by 2.5 percent.

More information can be obtained from:

Statistics Mauritius: http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/cso

Ministry of Agro Industries and Fisheries: http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/moa

Mauritius Chamber of Agriculture: http://www.mchagric.org/

Agricultural Marketing Board: http://www.gov.mu/portal/sites/amb/index.htm

Agricultural Research and Extension Unit: http://www.areu.mu/