A new export opportunity could soon open for Fiji’s yaqona farmers as Government confirms plans for a pilot program to help unlock the UK market.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade Sakiusa Ditoka made the comments while responding to a question from Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya, saying Fiji is working to secure commercial market access for yaqona into the United Kingdom, with a pilot program likely to be the first step before full commercial exports begin.
Ditoka says Fiji is using the same approach that helped gain access to the Australian market and will ask the UK and Europe to consider that model.
He says current restrictions in the UK are linked to food regulations introduced in 2002, which were based on early scientific concerns about kava.
Ditoka says Fiji and other Pacific countries are now pushing for updated Pacific-based scientific evidence to be recognised internationally so yaqona is fairly assessed under modern standards.
He says this work is being guided by the Regional Kava Development Strategy 2024–2028, with Pacific nations taking a coordinated approach to improve market access.
The Minister says Fiji is also working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Commerce and private sector partners to prepare the industry for future export opportunities.
Ditoka also says diplomatic discussions with British counterparts are continuing as Fiji pushes for greater access for its yaqona industry in one of the world’s major markets.
However, Ditoka says Fiji must also increase local yaqona production, as current supply is not enough to meet both domestic demand and export needs.
He says strengthening production at home will be critical to ensuring Fiji can supply the UK market when access is achieved, without affecting existing markets.
He explains that Fiji’s current yaqona production is not enough to meet local demand and export requirements, resulting in high prices and imports from Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu to fill supply gaps.
Ditoka says some of the imported yaqona is also being re-exported under the Fiji brand.
During the parliamentary debate, Opposition MP Faiyaz Koya asked whether exports would begin on a commercial scale or through a pilot phase.
In response, Ditoka confirmed that a pilot program will likely be introduced first before Fiji moves into full commercial exports to the UK.
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