Pacific officials are working to develop harmonised kava standards to strengthen product quality, safety and authenticity and improve access to regional and international markets.
The work is being advanced at the third Technical Committee Meeting on Regional Kava Standard Development, held in Nadi from 12 to 14 October under the Pacific Quality Infrastructure Initiative (PQII).
The meeting is focused on developing practical and robust regional standards to improve the consistency and quality of Pacific kava and strengthen confidence in the product across markets.
Speaking at the opening, Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat Team Leader Trade Natalia Patternot said the committee’s work was directly aligned with the region’s Kava Declaration and Regional Kava Development Strategy.
Patternot emphasised the importance of incorporating national circumstances into regional discussions to ensure the standards were practical and could be applied across Pacific countries.
She said harmonised standards and stronger quality infrastructure were essential to building confidence in Pacific kava and supporting access to regional and international markets.
The development of regional standards also supports the Pacific Aid-for-Trade Strategy 2026–2030 and the vision of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent.
These frameworks aim to strengthen regional cooperation, expand export opportunities, support sustainable livelihoods and preserve the cultural heritage of Pacific kava.
The technical committee’s work is part of broader regional efforts to strengthen the kava sector and improve the quality and competitiveness of Pacific products in international markets.
Kava is an important cultural and economic commodity for many Pacific Island countries, supporting livelihoods and providing export opportunities for producers across the region.
The meeting brings regional stakeholders together to advance a common approach to kava standards while ensuring national contexts are considered in the development process.
