Kava Declaration sparks concerns among Vanuatu exporters

The Kava Declaration developed by Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, seeks to protect the cultural integrity and intellectual property of kava by restricting the use of the name “kava” to seven Pacific Island kava-growing countries including, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon Islands.

Vanuatu Daily Post reports that while the Declaration aims to safeguard kava’s cultural heritage, promote traditional cultivation, and ensure ethical commercialisation, some Vanuatu exporters fear it may reduce international demand—especially in the rapidly growing kava extract market used in beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Exporters argue the focus should be on enforcing traditional and organic cultivation standards, banning inorganic farming, and preventing the export of planting material to preserve genetic purity.

They caution that restricting the name ‘kava’ could depress prices and limit market potential.

Source: Vanuatu Daily Post