ICSI Logistics Company Limited has achieved a significant milestone by preparing and exporting the first commercial airfreight shipment of dried kava roots and chips from the Solomon Islands to Fiji, slated for departure on Saturday, November 8, 2025. This export follows Fiji’s recent initiative to allow market access for kava from the Solomon Islands, a move positively received by local producers and exporters.
Working swiftly with farmers and intermediaries from the Temotu and Malaita provinces, ICSI Logistics aims to capitalize on this opportunity. The company previously made history by sending a commercial consignment of dried kava to Australia, solidifying its role in promoting the high-quality kava from the Solomon Islands. Laboratory tests indicate that this kava boasts a total kavalactone content of 11.8 percent, which is higher than many other variants in the Pacific. This high quality positions the Solomon Islands favorably in both regional and international markets, paving the way for increased income for rural farmers and enhanced foreign exchange earnings for the economy.
Gerry Elbourne, a spokesperson for ICSI Logistics, expressed pride in leading efforts to promote Solomon Islands kava on a regional level. He remarked, “This export marks a new chapter for our local farmers and for the Solomon Islands as a whole.” Elbourne emphasized that the market’s acceptance of their kava confirms its status as one of the best in the Pacific, as they work towards fostering a transparent and sustainable kava industry that benefits all stakeholders.
However, despite these promising advancements, Elbourne highlighted ongoing challenges. High domestic and international freight costs remain a concern, impacting competitiveness. He urged Solomon Airlines and local shipping companies to reevaluate their pricing structures to support the burgeoning export market. Additionally, transport difficulties from rural areas to Honiara also limit supply capacity. ICSI Logistics is currently addressing an issue with an intermediary over a failed delivery of kava, which could harm the industry’s reputation if dishonest practices continue.
Further complicating the situation is Fiji’s requirement for kava exports to be fumigated prior to shipment—a costly process not mandated by Australia. Elbourne has urged the Solomon Islands Government to engage with Fijian authorities to revisit this regulation and bolster the domestic shipping and airfreight infrastructure necessary for exporters to thrive.
Elbourne is optimistic about the future of the kava trade, encouraging farmers to return to their plantations and replant kava. He believes that with collective action, kava has the potential to become one of the most profitable cash crops for the Solomon Islands, even surpassing traditional exports.
This development in the kava industry not only highlights the strong regional ties and trade opportunities between Fiji and the Solomon Islands but also reflects a broader trend of growth in the Pacific’s agricultural sector, particularly amid increasing global demand. As initiatives to improve production quality and market access continue, both islands are set on a path towards economic growth and sustainability within the kava market.
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