<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: New Caledonia<nl>Economy</hdr><body>
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<item><hi format=bold>Overview:</hi> New Caledonia has more than 25% of the world's known nickel resources. In recent years the economy has suffered because of depressed international demand for nickel, the principal source of export earnings. Only a negligible amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 25% of imports.
<item>• <hi format=ital>consumption per capita:</hi> 12,790 kWh (1990)
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<item><hi format=bold>Industries:</hi> nickel mining and smelting
<item><hi format=bold>Agriculture:</hi> large areas devoted to cattle grazing; coffee, corn, wheat, vegetables; 60% self-sufficient in beef
<item><hi format=bold>Illicit drugs:</hi> illicit cannabis cultivation is becoming a principal source of income for some families
<item><hi format=bold>Economic aid:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>recipient:</hi> Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $4.185 billion
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<item><hi format=bold>Currency:</hi> 1 CFP franc (CFPF)=100 centimes
<item><hi format=bold>Exchange rates:</hi> Comptoirs Francais duPacifique francs (CFPF) per US$1—107.63 (January 1994), 102.96 (1993), 96.24 (1992), 102.57 (1991), 99.00 (1990), 115.99 (1989); note—linked at the rate of 18.18 to the French franc
<item><hi format=bold>Fiscal year:</hi> calendar year