Vanuatu’s kava exports reached a remarkable VT5.3 billion (approximately US$43.5 million) in 2024, marking a significant increase from VT4 billion in 2023 and VT3.3 billion in 2022. This growth solidifies kava’s status as the leading agricultural export of the nation since 2016, accounting for 68.5% of the total export value for the year.
The Director of Agriculture, Antoine Ravo, announced these statistics while opening the Kava Forum, emphasizing the vital contributions from partnerships with commercial farmers, private investors, cooperatives, and initiatives like the Pacific Horticulture and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Plus programme. Ravo indicated that further efforts focused on nationwide replanting are necessary to meet kava demand, although he highlighted the need for updated statistics to verify shortages.
Under the National Kava Strategy 2016-2025, nearly 600,000 planting materials have been distributed and cultivated since 2020, with the vision of positioning Vanuatu as the top global producer of quality kava. For the next five to ten years, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) will concentrate on specific islands, including Gaua, Santo, and Efate, to enhance both commercial and sustainable kava production.
During the forum, Minister of Agriculture Ian Wilson pointed out that outdated agricultural census data hampers effective policy implementation, highlighting the necessity for real-time information on kava production and consumption patterns. He noted that understanding supply and demand dynamics is crucial for the industry’s advancement.
Acknowledging the challenges faced, the minister expressed the government’s commitment to working exclusively with dedicated farmers moving forward. He reiterated that collective efforts from all stakeholders are essential for the kava sector to thrive. The forum, which concluded on a hopeful note, aimed to define roles and responsibilities within the industry, develop a clear five-year corporate plan, and address existing challenges and potential pathways for the future.
This positive momentum sets the stage for ongoing growth in Vanuatu’s kava industry, promising economic benefits for local farmers and communities, while preserving cultural traditions associated with this important crop.