The kava black market has had serious ramifications on the communities of Arnhem Land, breaking down communities and worsening family/whanau structures. Illicit trade has continued for decades, but a kava black market in which the traditional beverage with sedative properties is used to skirt embargos has been common. Enforcement actions indicate a high volume of smuggling events. Community leaders and researchers have long been blowing the whistle on the destructive social effects caused by the black market.
The Northern Territory has seen an uptick in illegal kava imports, with five significant busts uncovering smuggled amounts ranging from 120 to 250 kilograms. Professor Alan Clough has seen the renewed and established troubles related to the kava smuggling. He has done considerable research examining the substance’s use in Arnhem Land. He wants to highlight that the economic and social consequences of this illegal trade are more and more visible.
Historical Context of Kava in Australia
Kava’s entry into Australia has been clouded with restrictions. For more than 10 years, most travelers were limited to bringing kava into Australia only on flights departing from select Pacific nations. They were confined to a personal stipend of only two kilograms. As of June 2023, they further expanded the limit to four kilograms. In 2021, after years of strict regulation, Australia re-established commercial imports of kava to strengthen diplomatic relations with its Pacific neighbors.
Since then, more than 400 tonnes of kava have been imported from other Pacific nations like Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu. Undoubtedly, the larger political picture casts this in a less than favorable light. Residents are adamant that regardless of the policy, smugglers will always be able to break through isolated border towns.
“I estimated at one stage, in the Arnhem Land communities, that probably one dollar out of every six dollars that the community had available as cash was going to the illegal kava dealers.” This number illustrates the economic burden kava smuggling places on families and local economies.
Social Consequences of Kava Smuggling
Local leaders are deeply concerned with how kava smuggling affects families in Arnhem Land. Yingiya Guyula occurs a well-known community advocate. He believes a large portion of users perceive drinking kava as a safer alternative to alcohol and other drugs. The impact is tragic—many families are pushed to the brink because they can’t afford to pay the extreme black market rates.
Kava is known to go for as much as $1,000 per kilogram on the black market—twenty times its cost outside the Northern Territory. Guyula explains the detrimental effects on community life: “It virtually takes the money away and there’s hardly anything for the family and the children to survive on.” He further elaborates that “routine activities of work, school and the like can become disrupted if there’s a lot of kava in the community and people are drinking it in very long sessions.”
The promise of quick cash temptation lures many people into the smuggling business. Guyula remarks, “Those people who smuggle kava find there’s a bit of pocket money that they create, but it doesn’t help the people out here.” Community leaders are concerned about the long-term impacts that kava smuggling has begun to play on their communities. They feel that it undermines social solidarity and family well-being.
The Path Forward
The Australia-based experts argue that kava regulations are due for a diplomatic and culturally sensitive reassessment. Given its cultural importance within Pacific communities, there is a case to be made for regulated access as opposed to a complete ban. In her article, Professor Clough argues that great data analysis can shine a light on how to make these frameworks work better.
Guyula expresses a desire for community-focused solutions: “We would like to keep people drinking kava, similar to a social club after work.” He envisions a system where families can afford kava without sacrificing their financial stability—”For a cost that would keep the family going, still have pocket money for their children and families and food.”
As kava debate grows hot, community leaders argue it’s important to respect traditional use. As researchers, we are adding our voices to this call, urging a commitment to community first.
