Vanuatu generated VT5.3 billion(US$43,523,273) in kava exports last year, a rise from VT4 billion(US$32,851,501) in 2023, and VT3.3 billion(US$27,099,924) in 2022.
Kava has been the leading agricultural export since 2016. In 2024, kava made up 68.5% of the total domestic export value.
These figures from the Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics (VBoS) were presented by the Director of Agriculture, Antoine Ravo, yesterday to start the Kava Forum.
He said these figures could not be achieved without the partnership with commercial farmers, private investors, cooperatives, and the Pacific Horticulture and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Plus programme.
Director Ravo said the department is prioritising more nationwide replanting to address shortage and meet demand. However, he said this shortage needs to be verified due to no up-to-date statistics.
Nearly 600,000 planting material were distributed and planted from 2020 to the present year under the National Kava Strategy 2016 -2025. The strategy’s vision is for Vanuatu to be the leading producer of quality kava in the Pacific and the world.
Under its ‘Island Focus’ approach, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) will focus on Gaua, Santo, Maewo, Pentecost, Malekula, Epi, Efate and Erromango for next five to ten years to boost commercial and sustainable kava production to meet export and local demand.
Ravo said the forum is expected to provide feedbacks on this approach.
He added that the department gets only VT10 million annually for kava development.
In his opening address, the Minister of Agriculture Ian Wilson mentioned lack of data as a key challenge to implementing kava policy direction.
Vanuatu conducts agriculture census every 10 years, but for a government to base policy on such outdated information is not effective, he stressed.
“The government needs up-to-date information to identify the problems and develop policies and strategies to address the shortfalls. Even with the last census, there are questions about the accuracy of the data collected, which creates challenges for the government in mapping out policies,” he said.
“If we want to move forward, we have to know our supply and demand.
“I don’t think me, the DG, Director Ravo know how much kava is planted in Vanuatu, how much is consumed in Luganville and Port Vila, at kava bars, or on the islands, what varieties we have, or how many are 2 or 3 years old.”
The minister said he wants this to be a topic of discussion at the forum.
He said the government has invested heavily in subsidy programs over the past years, but some farmers have not shown commitment. Over the next years, the government will focus on working only with dedicated farmers, he said. He emphasised that for the kava industry to thrive, it requires a collective effort from all stakeholders.
The forum, which ends today in Luganville, aims to present the department’s next five-year corporate plan, define roles and responsibilities of all actors, and address challenges and the way forward.
