Kava industry needs fixed price: Trade Minister

November 14, 2024 10:14 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Ezra Toara.

The Minister for Trade and Commerce, Samson Samsen, stressed during Parliament session yesterday that the kava industry needs a fixed market price.

He emphasized the need for a legislative act to enforce this price, responding to concerns about the currently low kava prices and how they might be increased.

Minister Samsen revealed that discussions with the Australian government, facilitated through its high commission in Vanuatu, have progressed toward opening new markets for Vanuatu kava, mirroring efforts in Fiji.

This initiative would allow for the export of kava in bottled form, expanding the market and potentially boosting prices.

Samsen compared the kava industry to the copra sector, noting the necessity of specific legislative provisions to stabilize market prices.

“As parliamentarians, we must address policies seriously to maximize the benefits for our smallholder farmers,” he asserted.

The highlighted the role of regulatory authorities in implementing measures to protect kava pricing, ensuring that steps are taken to safeguard the industry and support kava producers.

According to a report in 2020, there were approximately 26,000 kava growers in the country.