Still a shortage in yaqona supply locally

There is still a shortage in supply of yaqona locally after the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Winston in February.

A recent local market survey by the Ministry of Agriculture reveals that the price of yaqona remains high in the markets due to the shortage.

On average, waka was sold at $36.33 per kg in January, which increased to $39.90 per kg in March and then dramatically increased to $70.90 per kg in May.

Lewena was selling at $24.33 per kg in January and increased to $32.20in April and then $44.49 per kg by May.

Market Survey personnel Jiaoji Waqabaca says importers had to increase the importation of kava from Vanuatu to meet the demand from local and overseas markets.

He says there are competition between local and Vanuatu Kava in the market.

Yaqona vendor Dinesh Singh of Waya settlement, Valley Road, Sigatoka says there is a shortage of supply from farmers everywhere and they are selling yaqona at a much higher price.

Singh says when planting and harvesting will return to normal then the prices will be reduced but that will take a while between 3 to 6 years.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture has identified areas that will be focused on the production of yaqona.

Deputy Secretary Agriculture Development, Uraia Waibuta says the Ministry has a Yaqona Development Program as part of rehab and they will try to boost production in the identified area.