Fiji’s kava export goals
IN the first five months since Australia opened the kava pathway through the Kava Pilot Programme, Fiji has exported 30.4 metric tonnes of kava, earning around $3.4 million.
Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Waterways, Dr Mahendra Reddy, in response to a question posed during the Parliament sitting last week, said in December 2021 the Australian Government through its Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade launched a Kava Pilot Programme under the Vuvale Partnership.
Prior to this kava was not allowed to be exported to Australia.
“So they allowed a pilot programme for export of commercial kava consignments into Australia and several of our local exporters took advantage of the opportunity,” Minister Reddy said.
“Considering the short duration we note that this is a substantial gain that we have made. There are a total of 146 exporters and Fiji is not the only country, there are other countries who are exporting kava. Out of the total of 146 exporters, 94 of these exporters are from Fiji.”
Minister Reddy said Fiji was exports most of the requirements of that market despite the stringent requirements, adding that this year Australia has also allowed other variants of kava such as kava root chips, kava root powder and whole kava root to be exported into the country.
“Despite the challenges of labelling, we have got good uptake that we have made in the first five months. Our exporters have been learning along the way and making sure that all requirements are met and there are very limited obstacles to exploring this new kava market and a massive market,” he said.
Minister Reddy said there was a large population in Australia who are from the Pacific, particularly from Fiji, who are consuming kava and Fiji wants to ensure that it can provide for a large chunk of that market, if not all, so it needs to get ready at the ground level.
He said Fiji wants to capture this market because if it does not, Vanuatu will come in but so far local suppliers are doing extremely well on this.
“I want to thank the Honourable Prime Minister for establishing this Vuvale Partnership which is, this opening of the kava market is a response of the Vuvale Partnership that was established between the two Prime Ministers,” Minister Reddy added.