Samoa will benefit from exporting kava with the opening of the Australian markets to commercial imports and raising hopes for increased interest across other global markets in Asia, North America, and the European Union.

Pacific kava is in high demand with Pacific kava exporters and farmers showcasing this growth potential at the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry (PWAF) taking place in Nadi, Fiji from 6-10 March 2023. 

Samoa kava exporter, Tagaloa Eddie Wilson said it was important to look at past experiences, when the crop was first banned by European markets, and the regional effort to regain market access by improving local kava standards for processing and exporting it as a safe food commodity.

“The success of the kava was because we had huge markets for kava extract and medicinal markets," Tagaloa said.  "Really, the future lies in working with our partners, the European Union and Germany and promotes kava extracts in the medicinal markets and increase recognition of kava as a safe commodity.”

The event provided a space to reflect on the progress of the kava sector nationally, with several Pacific countries reporting on their current kava status, as well as regionally.

There will be a regional kava strategy launch in July this year with the development of the strategy led by Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS). The secretariat plans to organise kava strategy working groups.

The “Pacific Kava: Rooting the industry in exports” event was organised by the Pacific Community (SPC) in collaboration with PIFS and funded by the EU through the Safe Agricultural Trade Facilitation through Economic Integration in the Pacific (SAFE Pacific) project. Public and private sector stakeholders, Pacific government representatives, non-governmental organisations, farmers, and exporters from across the region took part.

Assistant Minister of the Office of the Prime Minister for Fiji, Sakiusa Tubuna, said that kava is a significant commodity for the Pacific Islands culturally, socially and economically.

“In 2021, Fiji exported $ 41.9 million worth of kava. It is one of our largest agricultural exports,” he said. “Today, the interest in Kava is not exclusive to 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 kava-infused food and even entry into pharmaceuticals.”

The growing export market for kava in Vanuatu, Tonga and Fiji has led to a fledgling sector in traditionally non-kava drinking countries such as the Solomon Islands.

“We’re starting to look at how we can ensure proper accreditation for our facilities and promote proper manufacturing practices that align to international standards,” said the Solomon Islands Kava Industry Chairperson Wale Tobata. 

“We are also thinking of developing a national kava strategy and a business plan.”

The Solomon Islands is currently exporting processed kava to Micronesia and unprocessed kava to the United States.

The SPC Land Resources Division Markets for Livelihoods Programme Manager, Dr. Viliami Kami, said they are grateful to meet with Pacific leaders, development partners, and the EU for the critical discussions to strengthen regional collaboration on the kava sector, and to recognise it as a mainstay of the agricultural commodity.

“PWAF sheds light on Pacific solidarity towards improving the livelihoods of our people and it is spaces like these where we’re able to strategise and reflect on how we strengthen our collaborative efforts in this sector.”