The Vanuatu Government, through the responsible ministries, will consult the country’s kava industry before deciding how to respond to new Fiji import regulations requiring stricter safety testing, permits and documentation for imported kava.
Director General (DG) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity (MALFB), Timothy Tumukon, said the Government must work with farmers and exporters to assess the impact of the measures on Vanuatu’s kava trade and agree on a national position.
The regulations, which took effect in late September, apply to imported kava in various forms, including raw roots, chips, pieces and processed powder.
Under the requirements announced by Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services, importers must obtain official permits before shipments arrive and provide traceability documents, commercial invoices and declarations of origin. Shipments must also undergo chemotype and microbiological testing to verify their safety and suitability for human consumption.
Consignments that fail to meet the requirements may be detained, seized or destroyed at the importer’s expense.
Speaking on the Yumi Groem Vanuatu agricultural programme on Capitol FM 107, DG Tumukon said Vanuatu must also ensure its noble kava varieties can be identified and meet the standards required by overseas markets.
He said the country had developed a preliminary test based on the colouration of kava varieties, with support from kava expert Dr Vincent Lebot.
Tumukon suggested Vanuatu consider restricting exports to Fiji to powdered kava, rather than allowing raw roots and chips to be shipped for processing and resale.
The DG raised concerns that Fiji imports kava roots and chips from Vanuatu, processes them locally and sells the finished products as Fijian products.
He said Vanuatu should consider how to protect the identity, reputation and economic value of its kava industry by retaining more processing and value-adding activities within the country.
However, Tumukon said any changes to export requirements would require consultation with kava farmers, exporters, industry representatives and relevant government ministries before a decision could be made.
He said Vanuatu already had legislation governing kava production, trade and consumption under the Kava Act, but additional legislation might be needed to address wider commodity trade and protect the country’s recognised noble varieties.
Tumukon also called for greater investment in local value-adding, including processing roots and chips into powder and other products before export.
He said Vanuatu should assess whether exporting raw materials was delivering the best long-term benefits for local farmers and the domestic industry.
The Ministry will engage with industry representatives before working with relevant trade and foreign affairs authorities to determine Vanuatu’s response to Fiji’s regulations.
Tumukon encouraged farmers and exporters to participate in the consultation process, saying decisions must protect the industry’s interests while maintaining the quality and reputation of Vanuatu kava in international markets.
