The problem has caused a ban on any movement of adult taro or seedlings to Savaii from Upolu while exports to American Samoa have been stopped by the territory's government.
The chairman of Samoa's Farmers Association Afamasaga Toleafoa told RNZ the climate is likely a key factor.
Afamasaga said there was a previous outbreak of a virus affecting taro in the 1990’s.
He added all the species of the taro that were taken out by the virus are no longer around.
