Dunno how many of you read the Daily Post, but they had an interesting blip a couple weeks ago in the gossip section. It is related to the hard news in this one:
http://www.dailypost.vu/content/chinese-factory-will-extract-kava-lactones-export-lini
"Chinese State-owned company to introduce kava into the Chinese market as a canned beverage."
"“They will extract kava lactones to export to China so they can mix it with some of their drinks and drink it like a juice. It will have the same effect as kava.”
“Now the government is negotiating to re-open kava market in Europe but with these problems, there is also not enough kava, an agreement is yet to be reached."
And the gossipy one says this:
"o Has the Minister of Trade really thought through this proposal to let the Chinese set up a factory to produce enough kava lactones to go into millions of bottles of a kava beverage for the Chinese market. The Chinese will corner the lactone market, increase the price of kava, cause a shortage of kava at kava bars in Vila and all the proceeds will go out of the country. Not only that but it is in the Chinese interest to grow kava in China instead of freighting it all the way from Vanuatu and it will only be a matter of time until kava roots are smuggled out of Vanuatu and into China. The dobber accepts it is in the ministers interest to boost revenue into Pentecost kava growers but what will the cost to Vanuatu be in the end? Also what happens to local companies already producing kava lactones? Why can’t the government insist on a joint venture with China? That would make more sense. Silip!"
http://www.dailypost.vu/content/mi-harem-se-61
And if they are speculating about shortages in Vila, what would that mean for the U.S. market? Shortages or higher prices? The Chinese have the ability to consume massive amounts of kava, as their public is much more trusting of herbal stuffs than that of the US, and much greater in population. It also looks as though it will be made easily accessible by way of extract. How big is the capacity of this "factory" to be? It is a State-Owned company. The "Coca-Cola" of China?
Anyway... can't help but be curious and wonder about the situation...
Cheers!~AP
http://www.dailypost.vu/content/chinese-factory-will-extract-kava-lactones-export-lini
"Chinese State-owned company to introduce kava into the Chinese market as a canned beverage."
"“They will extract kava lactones to export to China so they can mix it with some of their drinks and drink it like a juice. It will have the same effect as kava.”
“Now the government is negotiating to re-open kava market in Europe but with these problems, there is also not enough kava, an agreement is yet to be reached."
And the gossipy one says this:
"o Has the Minister of Trade really thought through this proposal to let the Chinese set up a factory to produce enough kava lactones to go into millions of bottles of a kava beverage for the Chinese market. The Chinese will corner the lactone market, increase the price of kava, cause a shortage of kava at kava bars in Vila and all the proceeds will go out of the country. Not only that but it is in the Chinese interest to grow kava in China instead of freighting it all the way from Vanuatu and it will only be a matter of time until kava roots are smuggled out of Vanuatu and into China. The dobber accepts it is in the ministers interest to boost revenue into Pentecost kava growers but what will the cost to Vanuatu be in the end? Also what happens to local companies already producing kava lactones? Why can’t the government insist on a joint venture with China? That would make more sense. Silip!"
http://www.dailypost.vu/content/mi-harem-se-61
And if they are speculating about shortages in Vila, what would that mean for the U.S. market? Shortages or higher prices? The Chinese have the ability to consume massive amounts of kava, as their public is much more trusting of herbal stuffs than that of the US, and much greater in population. It also looks as though it will be made easily accessible by way of extract. How big is the capacity of this "factory" to be? It is a State-Owned company. The "Coca-Cola" of China?
Anyway... can't help but be curious and wonder about the situation...
Cheers!~AP
