Kava Tops Non-Sugar Exports: Reddy
Fiji’s top non-sugar agricultural export is now led by kava, Minister for Agriculture, Mahendra Reddy, has said.
“The 2021 data shows that kava exports were $41.9 million, followed by dalo at $30.1 million, and turmeric at $22.9 million, exported mostly to United States of America,” he said.
The top seven agricultural export categories were:
- Ginger – $13.9 million,
- Assorted vegetables – $5.7 million,
- Cassava – $1.7 million, and
- Chicken meat and eggs – $4.7 million.
“Kava makes an extremely important contribution to our rural exports,” Mr Reddy said.
Infrastructure
In anticipation of the impact of annual seasonal external forces such as cyclones, the ministry established infrastructure on the ground, he said.
Such infrastructure was designed to reduce the impact on kava farms, in the interest of sustaining exports, Mr Reddy said.
“Farmers and exporters are bearing the fruit of the market access that we have developed over the years for these crops” he said in Parliament.
Production
Total kava production in 2021 was 13.79 tonnes, with an average annual growth rate of 12.8 per cent.
“That is a substantial two-digit growth rate,” Mr Reddy said.
Agriculture received a total budget of $300,000 for kava production, which went towards:
- farm access roads,
- provision of yaqona cuttings,
- construction of farm houses,
- training of farmers,
nurseries, technical support and physical testing.
The University of the South Pacific’s laboratory had previously taken responsibility for some of the overarching roles in the kava sector.
“But now, we have our laboratory at Koronivia where exporters can bring their kava, to get it tested in a fraction of the price that USP charges,” Mr Reddy said.
“We have distributed 100,000 kava cuttings in Lomaiviti, the Northern Division, and the Western Division.
“We have constructed farms in Ovalau, Moturiki, Levuka and Lau.
“We have established nurseries in Ovalau and Vanuabalavu, and plan to establish more nurseries in the Western Division.
“Instead of giving cuttings to farmers, we can give seedlings, because the germination rate is 100 percent.
“With cuttings, germination rates are much lower.”
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