FIJI has exported a total of 223.2 tonnes of kava to Australia under Australia’s Kava Pilot Program since phase two of the program was launched in December 2021.
And according to Pacific Trade Invest Australia (PTI) who recently released a Q2, 2025 update of the program, the pace of kava exports from the Pacific is “accelerating”.
“Since the launch of Australia’s Kava Pilot Program, more than 540 tonnes of kava have been imported, demonstrating the program’s success in creating a sustainable and expanding pathway for Pacific suppliers,” PTI stated.
“Fiji and Tonga dominate this trade, together accounting for over 75 percent of cumulative imports, while Vanuatu has firmly established itself as the third largest supplier with volumes now exceeding 100 tonnes.
“The pace of imports is accelerating.”
Data from Australia’s Department of Foreign Aff airs and Trade for 2025 showed that in the first half of 2025, 76 tonnes were imported, representing around 14 percent of total program volumes since inception.
“Fiji has driven the majority of this growth, contributing nearly 45 tonnes YTD, while Vanuatu added more than 23 tonnes and Tonga almost 8 tonnes,” PTI stated.
“This recent uplift confirms that demand in the Australian market is not only holding steady but strengthening.”
It highlighted Vanuatu’s performance as noteworthy with just 24 suppliers exporting over 100 tonnes over the last four years.
Fiji’s 200 plus tonnes was the combined eff ort of 199 suppliers while Tonga’s 189 tonnes was supplied by 69 exporters.
“Overall, the data tells a story of consolidation and momentum, with more than half a million kilograms of kava now imported under the program, and a strong start to 2025, the sector is positioned for continued growth, deeper market penetration, and broader participation by Pacific exporters,” PTI stated.
The program, launched in 2019, consisted of two phases.
The first phase was increasing the quantity travellers could take into Australia while the second phase, which began in December 2021, allowed kava imports as a food item, setting in motion the commercial export to kava into Australia.
PTI is the trade and investment marketing arm of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Source: PACIFIC TRADE INVEST AUSTRALIA
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Note: This article was first published under the headline: Fiji dominates kava exports to Australia in Page 13 of the print version of The Fiji Times dated Monday, September 29, 2025
