The Kava export market has been hit hard by the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Winston.

Agriculture Ministry Permanent Secretary-Uraia Waibuta says despite this the market still has a bright future despite being amongst those severely affected by the recent cyclone.

“But the total value of yaqona damaged is around 116 million dollars and around 293.7 million is the amount that was not affected and also can be recovered.”

Waibuta says most Kava farmers were forced to harvest young kava plants.

He adds farms in Kadavu, Serua, Namosi, Naitasiri and Tailevu were not affected and will supply yaqona to local markets.