Forney Enterprise expands direct kava trade with Banks Islands

April 14, 2025 11:17 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Doddy Morris.

Forney Enterprise has begun sourcing green and dry kava directly from the Banks Islands in TORBA Province following a breakthrough in shipping logistics that allows for consistent and reliable freight services between Santo and the northern island group.

Managing Director and shareholder Mr. Joshua Fordham, says the move marks a new step in the company’s longstanding relationship with farmers from the Banks Islands, from whom it has traditionally sourced only dry kava due to transport limitations.

“With these new direct shipments, we’re now able to purchase green kava straight from the Banks,” Mr. Fordham said. “The current shipping line enables product integrity and quality to remain high, while also opening the door for local farmers to sell both green and dry kava.”

In February, while travelling aboard the TORBA Rose to Sola, the Daily Post witnessed 28 bags of dried kava roots being loaded at remote Koro village. The kava, collected from Koro and other parts of the island, was bound for Santo where it is purchased and labelled by Forney Enterprise.

However, on a return trip this month, the TORBA Rose made a dedicated three-day stop in Gaua solely to collect kava. This time, over 100 bags were loaded — a clear sign of increasing demand and production on the island.

Despite Vanualava also being one of the islands rich in kava like Gaua, in Sola, kava bar owners sometimes source their kava from Gaua, as well as Motalava Island.

Gaua’s reputation as a kava stronghold has deep roots. In 2018, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD), through its provincial officers, distributed noble kava cuttings from Gaua to other islands in TORBA Province, reflecting the island’s role in preserving and sharing Vanuatu’s prized kava varieties.

From planting to processing, Gaua continues to contribute strongly to Vanuatu’s kava industry — with local farmers now seeing the results of their efforts as Gaua kava reaches broader markets.

Mr. Fordham also said that in support of remote communities, Forney Enterprise has imported a military-grade vehicle from the United States to assist farmers in hard-to-reach areas in bringing their harvests to market.

“A common complaint we heard from remote farmers was the high cost of transport and poor access to markets. We answered the call with this truck,” he said. “So far, we’ve started operations around Luganville and will gradually expand into more remote areas.”

Mr. Fordham said Forney is committed to inclusivity across the islands, and that each island produces unique cultivars that create distinctive consumer experiences abroad.

“We promote all noble cultivars from across Vanuatu where shipping allows,” he said.

To support the growing demand for Vanuatu kava, the company is currently constructing a state-of-the-art processing factory expected to be completed in August. The facility is designed to triple production capacity and support future market expansion.

“It’s our dream factory,” Mr. Fordham said.

The Managing Director also called on Vanuatu kava farmers to increase their planting to meet rising global demand.

“Kava is a fast-growing market, and there are concerns farmers won’t be able to keep up if we don’t push planting now,” he said. “The last thing we want is for Vanuatu to lose ground to competing South Pacific nations like Fiji and the Solomon Islands.”