The Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Honourable Tomasi Tunabuna met with the Trade Commissioner for North America, Mr. Alika Cooper, yesterday to discuss updates on the kava market in the United States of America.

Mr Cooper was accompanied by the Director of Economics at the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, MSMEs and Communications, Ms Ateca Rounds, who presented a brief overview of current investment opportunities being pursued by the Commercial Agriculture Task Force.

They updated Hon. Tunabuna on the progress of the kava sector in the United States, including the opportunities and challenges the kava market faces in the United States.

Discussions evolved around market segment updates, and the need for improved standards and quality control, in particular around food safety, quality, and labeling.

The United States is Fiji’s largest kava export market and there is a significant potential for growth.

For Fiji to capitalize on this, there is a significant need for the review of the Kava Bill. These meetings and future planned meetings around kava are part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways approach to reviewing and delivering a modern Kava Bill that will lead the sector forward.

Both the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways and the Fiji Trade Commission North America as part of the Ministry of Trade, Co-operatives, SMEs and Communications are working towards further strengthening and promoting kava exports to the United States and the greater North American region.

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