Update: 2:22PM THERE is competition in the market between local and Vanuatu kava.
With the drastic increase in Fiji kava prices following Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston in February, people are reportedly buying Vanuatu kava now.
A Department of Information statement says Vanuatu kava is selling at $32-$35 per kilogram for lewena and $38-$49 per kilogram for waka.
The Agriculture Ministry’s recent local market survey revealed that on average, waka was sold at $36.33 per kilogram in January, $39.90 per kilogram in March and $70.90 per kilogram in May.
Following the cyclone, there was short supply of yaqona locally and importers had to increase imports of Vanuatu kava to meet the demand from local and overseas markets.
Agriculture Ministry’s market survey personnel Jiaoji Waqabaca says at present there is competition between local and Vanuatu kava in the market.
