Vanuatu’s economy, like many traditional societies, is based on produce from the land. Staple foods are mostly root crops; yam, taro and manioc but seasonal fruits like breadfruit, coconuts and bananas are important mainstays. While Vanuatu’s economic growth is starting to become more broadly-based, it remains centered on the tourism, land development and construction industries.

Services dominate the economy, but there remains a heavy reliance on agriculture (18% of GDP). Over 80% of Vanuatu's locally-produced exports are agriculture-based, led by coconut oil (31.1%), copra (13.5%), kava (13.4%), beef (8.7%) and timber (7.5%). Growth is difficult with high transportation costs, an economic infrastructure which is undeveloped, and cyclone damage which is common.

Two economic systems operate side by side in Vanuatu: the subsistence economy and the cash economy. The vast majority of the population, 80% of whom reside in rural areas, is engaged in subsistence agriculture, growing food crops and harvesting forest and marine resources for personal consumption, exchange and gifting. Most ni-Vanuatu then are subsistence farmers who do cash cropping on the side. As all the necessities of life are available locally, the cash economy is a minor component of their economic activity.

Coconut, while being an important export crop is also one of many items that make up the diet of ni Vanuatu whose food in daily life consists of staples such as yam, taro, banana, sugarcane, tropical nuts, greens, pigs, fowl, and seafood. Early Western contact saw other tropical crops (manioc, plantain, sweet potato, papaya, mango and watermelon) and temperate crops (cabbage, beans, corn, peppers, carrots, pumpkin) added to the diet. Rural people typically produce most of what they eat, supplementing this with rice and tinned fish purchased in stores. The urban diet relies on rice, bread, and tinned fish supplemented with rural products.

A memorable sight in Port Vila is the colourful market with its many vendors selling a large variety of crops and fruit as well as clothing and souvenirs. Most women (with children in tow) travel many kilometres for the market days, sleeping on-site and trading with locals, expatriates and tourists. Luganville also has a market where goods of a similar nature are sold.

The issue is available as single stamps, in sets of five and also on First Day Cover (with stamp set) only.