Introduction Food security in Kiribati is fundamentally constrained by its geography and high climate vulnerability. As a low-lying coral atoll nation, Kiribati faces extremely scarce arable land, poor soil fertility, and limited freshwater resources, making large-scale agriculture largely unviable. Only around 2.5% of total land area—approximately 340 square kilometers—is suitable for cultivation, placing Kiribati among the least fertile countries globally (World Bank, 2023). As a result, domestic food production has been insufficient to meet the demand, particularly in South Tarawa where over half of Kiribati’s population lives, and imported foods are critical to keep people nourished. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, total food imports were valued at about $55 million. Rice and raw sugar, made up 19% of the food import, highlighting heavy dependence on imported staple foods and ultra-processed foods. Overall, food imports have consistently accounted for more than one-third of total merchandise imports. (Center for Collective Learning, 2024). Nutrition Dilemma Weak domestic food production continues to compromise diet quality and nutrition outcomes. Limited availability of locally produced, nutrient-dense foods has led to diets marked by minimal fruit and vegetable consumption and heavy reliance on imported staples, particularly rice, sugar, and ultra-processed foods. Nutrition indicators demonstrate a clear double burden of undernutrition combined with overweight and obesity. According to the Kiribati National Statistics Office (2025), almost half of the population is obese. In addition, Kiribati faces a very high burden of non-communicable diseases with a 44% probability of premature death (ages 30–70). Child malnutrition also persists with around 15% of children under 5 years old stunted and 3.5% wasted. (Kiribati National Statistics, 2025; UNICEF, 2025; Global Nutrition Report 2024). While diets are marginally more diverse in rural areas, overall nutritional quality remains poor. Households spend an average of $5.60 per person per day on food, accounting for around half of the total daily expenditure. (Kiribati National Statistics, 2025) Policy Actions Kiribati is strengthening food and nutrition security through a multisectoral policy framework anchored in the Kiribati Agriculture Strategy (2020–2030) and complementary health and fiscal measures, including noncommunicable disease strategies and taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages. These policies prioritize reducing the double burden of malnutrition—persistent child undernutrition alongside high adult obesity—by promoting household food security, increasing local food production, reducing reliance on imported foods, and integrating nutrition education, vitamin A supplementation, community health services, and water and sanitation programs. Current programs also include community-based food production (home gardens), fisheries management, and climate-resilient food security initiatives supported by development partners (e.g., UNDP, FAO, UNICEF), which emphasize sustainable coastal fisheries, local agriculture, and behavioral change towards healthier diets. However, implementation is constrained by structural challenges. Limited arable land, poor soil quality, and scarce freshwater severely restrict agricultural productivity. High dependence on imported, low-nutrient foods persists due to cost and availability issues. Climate change (drought, sea-level rise, saltwater intrusion) increasingly damages crops, fisheries, and water systems. Additional constraints include weak institutional and human resource capacity, fragmented coordination across sectors, insufficient data for monitoring, and high levels of food insecurity (affecting around 41% of the population), compounded by geographic isolation and high transport costs. These factors collectively limit the scale, consistency, and sustainability of policy implementation despite strong strategic intent. (Kiribati National Statistics Office, 2021). Recommendations Addressing policy challenges requires practical, context-specific approaches for Kiribati. Policies promoting healthier diets, particularly locally produced, nutrient-rich foods, should be complemented by targeted social protection programs through cash payouts to support supplemental food for children under 5 years old, small grant programs to support nutritional gardening, and subsidies on nutritious food products to help vulnerable households manage rising food costs. Strengthening food and nutrition security requires a coordinated approach that integrates sustainable production, climate resilience, and efficient supply chains. The government aims to improve access to nutritious foods, particularly for vulnerable groups, through climate-smart agriculture (including drought-resistant crops, improved irrigation, and soil management); integrated farming systems; strengthened value chains; and expanded community-based initiatives such as home gardens and school feeding programs. These efforts are supported by nutrition education and the promotion of resilient traditional crops. Complementary adaptive measures, including early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, and targeted farmer support, will further enhance resilience to climate variability. A key strategic initiative is the development of the 5,500-acre Natoavatu Estate in Fiji as a large-scale horticultural hub to produce high-demand fruits and vegetables that are difficult to cultivate domestically. The government intends to utilize this estate as an offshore production base to complement local agriculture. With targeted investment, the estate is expected to support commercial-scale, climate-resilient farming, alongside efficient logistics and cold-chain systems to ensure reliable supply to Kiribati. The initiative has the potential to promote agribusiness development and public–private partnerships, contributing to diversified food supply, price stability, and strengthened food and nutrition security over the medium to long term. Strengthening nutrition and food security in Kiribati will require sustained efforts from the Kiribati government, development partners, and communities over an extended period. Building climate-resilient food systems will be an important part of improving nutrition and health outcomes for the Kiribati people and ensuring their resilience against future shocks. Resources CEIC Data. 2021. Kiribati Land Use: Land Area: Arable Land and Permanent Crops. Sourced from OECD/ Food and Agriculture Organization Land Use Statistics. Global Nutrition Report. 2024. Country Nutrition Profile: Kiribati. Kiribati National Statistics Office. 2025. Kiribati Power of Data: Statistics Show How I-Kiribati Live, Eat and Earn. News Article. 24 June. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agriculture Development. 2020. Kiribati Agriculture Strategy (KAS 2020–2030). UNICEF. 2025. The Situation of Children in Kiribati. World Bank. 2023. Arable Land (% of Land Area). Kiribati World Development Indicators based on Food and Agriculture Organization electronic files. Ask the Experts Teatao T. Tira Principal Country Officer for Kiribati, Pacific Department, Asian Development Bank Dr. Teatao T. Tira is a medical doctor by training and a seasoned public sector executive specializing in health systems. With more than 2 decades of leadership experience across government and development sectors, he has spearheaded national reforms in health policy, infrastructure, and service delivery, holding senior positions, including Secretary and Director. He holds an MBBS from the Fiji School of Medicine, along with a Master of Public Health and an MBA from James Cook University, Australia. Ilisapeci Vakaloloma Associate Economics Officer, Pacific Department, Asian Development Bank Ilisapeci Vakaloloma is based at the Pacific Subregional Office in Suva, Fiji, where she manages ADB’s portfolio for Kiribati and Samoa. Before joining ADB, she built over a decade of expertise in national accounts and economic statistics at the Fiji Bureau of Statistics. She holds both a postgraduate degree in economics and a bachelor’s degree in economics and management from the University of the South Pacific, Fiji. Leave your question or comment in the section below: View the discussion thread.