An Australian-Fiji kava company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange is upgrading its factory, in a stride to double output next year.

The undertaking by FijiKava for its Levuka facility, is by no means small, chief executive officer, Anthony Noble told SunBiz.

The upgrade comes two years after FijiKava, a medical company based in Australia, opened Fiji’s new kava tissue culture laboratory – the world’s first.

FijiKava, the first and only foreign company with approval from the Fijian Government to operate in the kava industry, is also the world’s first listed kava company.

“We will be processing more medical grade kava extract than any other company in the Asia Pacific by then,” Mr Noble said.

The upgrade will span five months at an estimated cost of $200,000, he said.

The upgrade will boost medical grade extract from kava for the wellness that FijiKava serves.

FijiKava’s biggest investment is a new state-of-the-art heat pump dryer, the Australian Market Herald said.

The equipment allows for higher value, lower moisture content extracts, the report said.

A conveyor technology, mechanical peeling and closed liquid handling systems are also being installed.

The upgrade are among new process aimed improvements that have taken place since June.

“This upgrade will also take critical steps in green kava preparation from manual to automated processes, which will further reduce OH&S risks to our team,” Mr Noble said.

Rugby
FijiKava is the official kava of the Fiji Rugby Union, including the Flying Fijian 7s, Women’s 7s and the 15 a side Rugby team, Mr Noble said.

“We love rugby,” he said.

“The FRU loves our Taki Mai kava – we send them tonnes every year.

“We decided to extend our sponsorships to include naming rights of the Kaiviti Silktails, to engage with Rugby League fans here in Australia.”

In Sydney, where the population of people of Fijian heritage was more than 30,000, the sponsorship made sense for FijiKava, Mr Noble said.

“We also have a strong ethos of giving back to people in Fiji,” he said.

“What the Silktails and Petero and Stephen are doing for the boys and in schools in Fiji is amazing.”

“It is making a huge difference.”

“They have a great balance between sports, study, and work for the team members.”

“It is an exciting time for us right now.”

December 1
The Australian government’s announcement to ease commercial import restrictions on kava was welcomed by FijiKava.

“It’s is a massive step forward for FijiKava.

“We are getting set to launch our products, made in Fiji, in the major grocery and chemist chains here in Australia,” Mr Noble said.

FijiKava anticipates significant new sales in the Australian market next year, he said.

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj