Kava vendors at the Suva Municipal Market are facing significant hurdles this year, grappling with falling sales and rising prices amid shifting farming practices and consumer preferences. Amar Singh, a seasoned vendor at Amar Singh & Sons Kava Dealers, described the current climate as increasingly challenging, pointing to difficulties in securing enough kava. Prices have surged, with kava now selling for between $140 and $160 per kilogram, while pounded kava ranges from $90 to $130 per kilogram.
Mr. Singh highlights several factors contributing to this slump, including a reduced supply of kava, escalating prices, and a marked change in buying habits. He notes that many customers are opting for kava bars instead of traditional market purchases, leading to decreased foot traffic for vendors. “Casual buyers who once stopped by for small $5 or $10 bags now choose to buy in bulk only when necessary, further impacting our sales,” he said.
Additionally, the decline of communal farming practices has compounded the vendors’ struggles. Mr. Singh remarked that cooperative systems, which historically ensured a steady kava supply and fair labor distribution, are nearly extinct. Younger farmers today tend to work independently, planting fewer kava crops, which has resulted in a diminished overall supply. “In the past, cooperatives would have around 16 members. Now individuals are planting only a few, sometimes less than 50 plants,” he explained.
Asinate Mekevakatoga, another vendor, shared similar sentiments, describing this year as “terrible” for sales. She expressed concern over the harvesting of immature kava plants and the persistent risk of theft from farms, both of which threaten future kava supplies. “Kava farming should involve each member of a family working together to increase the harvest,” she stated.
In response to these challenges, both Mr. Singh and Ms. Mekevakatoga have sought to diversify their businesses by adding virgin oil and handicrafts to their offerings. As kava bars continue to lure customers and supply issues linger, vendors at Suva’s market remain poised for a future filled with uncertainty. Nevertheless, the resilience and adaptability of these vendors shine through, offering a sense of hope as they navigate these tough circumstances.