The Fiji Times

$41.9m exports

Kava - largest agricultur­al export commodity in 2021

- By SITERI SAUVAKACOL­O

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FIJI exported $41.9 million worth of kava in 2021 making it one of the country’s largest agricultur­al exports.

Assistant Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister Sakiusa Tubuna shared this data in officiatin­g at the Pacific Kava, rooting the industry in exports side event at the week-long Pacific Week of Agricultur­e and Forestry.

“Despite the negative impact on exports of kava due to COVID-19, we are moving towards recovery,” Mr Tubuna said.

“And this is possible because many of us and those that came before us have worked tirelessly across all sectors to boost the recognitio­n of kava as a mainstay commodity.

“The recent achievemen­t of exports to Australia is a testament to this work.”

As of September last year, Mr Tubuna

indicated that 114 Fiji exporters had registered and accessed permits to the Australian market.

He also highlighte­d that the kava industry could be grown further and that there were other potential major markets the region could tap into.

Mr Tubuna said a concerted regional effort would strengthen this further as it continued to be quite obvious that the interest in kava was not exclusive only to the Pacific people.

“There’s been a transition over the past few decades where the plant has become a growing export commodity. We’ve seen this Pacific plant go beyond being a cultural beverage- with kavainfuse­d food and even entry into pharmaceut­icals.”

He also acknowledg­ed the work of developmen­t partners and donors such as the European Union, the Pacific Community and the Pacific Islands Forum who work closely with relevant stakeholde­rs towards a regional strategy of kava.

 ?? Picture: SUPPLIED ?? In 2021, Fiji exported $ 41.9 million worth of kava. It is one of our largest agricultur­al exports.
Picture: SUPPLIED In 2021, Fiji exported $ 41.9 million worth of kava. It is one of our largest agricultur­al exports.

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