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- Fiji Kava (FIJ) says a new regional Kava standard by the Codex Alimentarius Commission will strengthen its strategy to sell Noble Kava through its end-to-end supply chain
- The standard is supported by a number of global organisations and is expected to significantly bolster regulations for the Pacific Noble Kava market
- It outlines procedures and controls for growing, harvesting and producing high-quality Kava products
- The standard comes ahead of an Australian commercial importation trial, anticipated to begin by December 2021
- Shares in Fiji Kava remain grey at market open, priced at 24.5 cents per share
Fiji Kava (FIJ) says a new regional Kava standard by the Codex Alimentarius Commission will strengthen its strategy to sell Noble Kava through its end-to-end supply chain.
Established with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the United Nations and the World Health Organisation, the standard is expected to significantly bolster regulations for the Pacific Noble Kava market.
It excludes other Kava varieties, such as Tudei Kava, and outlines procedures and controls for the growth, harvesting and processing of safer, higher-quality Kava for international exports.
Codex’s adoption of the standard follows a five-year process which began in 2016 and has now been finalised after successfully passing through eight stages of approval.
Zane Yoshida, CEO of Fiji Kava, is a member of Fiji’s National Codex Committee and played a central role in the development of the new standard.
“Fiji Kava only sells Noble Kava as the highest quality and safest varieties of Kava, which we grow and export via our vertically integrated supply chain,” Zane said.
“While many exporters will be forced to make changes to their business in response to the standard, Fiji Kava will continue to operate with complete confidence in our strategy to sell our Fijian Noble Kava across international markets,” he added.
The roll-out of the new standard comes ahead of an Australia commercial importation trial for Kava products. This trial was previously delayed due to the outbreak of COVID-19 but has now been confirmed to begin by December next year.
Anticipated to broaden consumer access to Kava, it follows an expanded pilot program initiated by the Australian Government in December 2019, which increased personal imports from two kilograms to four kilograms per passenger.
“We are strongly positioned to participate in the trial and to work with government in the trial’s development ahead of its launch next year,” Zane concluded.
Shares in Fiji Kava remain grey at market open, priced at 24.5 cents per share at 10:14 am AEDT.
