Vanuatu’s main commodities are regulated by “acts”. In the early 1980s it was copra and cocoa acts to control quality. As kava became an important export crop for Vanuatu, the government decided to control its quality as well under the kava act. The kava act is meant to regulate the cultivation, sale, and export of kava and kava products [1].
Per Dr. Vincent Lebot, the kava act is simple in practice
Dried kava sold after Wednesday March 24th 2021 will now be subject to a minimum pricing of TV 2,000. At current conversion rates that comes up to about 18-20 USD per kilo [2].
[1] Vanuatu—Legislation—Kava act 2002. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2021, from http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/html/van38473.htm
[2] Department of AGRICULTURE VANUATU. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2021, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2874302742811940&id=1638942406347986
Per Dr. Vincent Lebot, the kava act is simple in practice
- Plant only noble varieties
- Harvest after three years
- Separate basal stems, roots, and stumps
- Always grow kava organically
- Always mention the village and island of origin on the bag.
Dried kava sold after Wednesday March 24th 2021 will now be subject to a minimum pricing of TV 2,000. At current conversion rates that comes up to about 18-20 USD per kilo [2].
[1] Vanuatu—Legislation—Kava act 2002. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2021, from http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/html/van38473.htm
[2] Department of AGRICULTURE VANUATU. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2021, from https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2874302742811940&id=1638942406347986
