Yaqona business thrives due to increase in demand and lack of supply

Yaqona business is thriving at the moment and this is because of increased demand and low supply of yaqona plants.

While speaking during the 2019/2020 National Budget consultations in Labasa, Minister for Economy, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said that yaqona prices have gone up to $220 a kilo compared to $70 a kilo before Cyclone Winston.

He says that at one time he visited Labasa and was told that farmers in an area had sold $2 million worth of yaqona.

A Kava plantation

Sayed-Khaiyum says it is mainly a supply and demand issue.

Meanwhile yaqona packs that were sold at $2 to $3 before Cyclone Winston are now being sold for $7 while the previous $5 packs are now being sold for $14.