Kava Research Policy Brief

The global kava market is projected to reach USD5.45 billion by 20321. For Fiji and other kava-producing nations to access this opportunity, they will need to increase production and strengthen the reliability and quality of traditional and value-added kava products.

Achieving this will require substantial new investment in industry research, development and adoption. Better information is needed on how kava varieties, growing conditions and kava quality interact. A clearer understanding of these interdependencies – and how they influence product consistency – is critical to growing commercial kava opportunities and establishing agreed standards that protect the integrity of Pacific kava in export markets. There are also opportunities to better coordinate research efforts within Fiji and across the region to avoid duplication and realise greater economies of scale.

Under the PHAMA and PHAMA Plus programs, small but targeted investments have been made into discrete research activities. This paper summarises what has been done, what has been learnt, and what questions remain to guide further research priorities.