More kava consumed locally than exported – Kamikamica

More than $300 million of kava is consumed locally compared to the exported ones and people need to change the engineering architect of kava and help boost the kava industry.

This was shared by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade Monoa Kamikamica while opening of the new Vale Kava at the Lami Kava outlet in Lami.

Kamikamica says the official opening of Vale Kava is a bold and innovative venture that reflects where Fiji is headed, a country grounded in tradition, but agile enough to adapt, innovate, and thrive in a fast-changing global economy.

He says this boutique kava shop in Lami is not just a business it is a symbol of transformation economic, cultural, and digital and it represents a new model of enterprise that embraces quality, leverages technology, and connects our local supply chains with global demand.

Kamikamica says as Fiji steps into this modern kava space, they are also stepping into a future where Fiji is more self-reliant, more connected, and more competitive.

The opening of Vale Kava aligns strongly with the Government’s broader economic strategy, which is centred on economic diversification, inclusive growth, and structural transformation.

The Deputy Prime Minister says the review of the Kava Act and associated regulations is currently underway and this review will modernise Fiji’s kava laws to reflect contemporary realities including clearer definitions of product categories,quality control mechanisms, and international compliance protocols.

He says they want to protect the integrity of the kava industry and want to ensure that every bag of waka or lewena that leaves our shores represents the highest quality clean, pure, and ethically sourced.

He also says for enterprises like Vale Kava, having a robust legal and regulatory framework is vital to building trust with consumers, both domestic and international.

Kamikamica says the legislation will be completed soon and he is positive that this will broaden Fiji’s economic base to move beyond over reliance on traditional sectors and instead unlock the full potential of agriculture.