Yaqona business is thriving at the moment and this is because of increased demand and low supply of yaqona plants.
While speaking during the 2019/2020 National Budget consultations in Labasa, Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said that yaqona prices have gone up to $220 a kilo compared to $70 a kilo before Cyclone Winston.
He says that at one time he visited Labasa and was told that farmers in an area had sold $2 million worth of yaqona.
A Kava plantation
Sayed-Khaiyum says it is mainly a supply and demand issue.
Meanwhile yaqona packs that were sold at $2 to $3 before Cyclone Winston are now being sold for $7 while the previous $5 packs are now being sold for $14.
