Review and status quo of the Sugar Industry in Fiji
The Special Committee on Sugar Industry met on Friday, 3 July 2026, at the Parliament Complex. The Members of the Committee discussed several pertinent issues concerning the status quo of the industry both in the short and long term. The Committee agreed that restoring confidence among farmers remained a priority and Members stressed the importance of clear communication to farmers regarding Government assistance and support already being provided.
In relation to the harvesting of the sugar cane, there was an assurance from Mr Mahendra Chaudhry, the General Secretary for the National Farmers Union in a letter to the Honourable Prime Minister that “cane farmers are not on strike” and this is confirmed from the crushing of canes currently taking place in Western and Northern Divisions.
The Committee also discussed additional options in increasing support for manual harvesters as an immediate measure to encourage harvesting activity. Further the Government will be subsidising by increasing the price paid to manual harvesters from $3 to $5 per tonne, this is to acknowledge the role and contribution of the people on the ground whose efforts are not well recognised.
To allay issues of security for our cane farmers who wish to harvest sugar cane but are petrified of backlash, particularly in regard to their standing crops, the Committee in consultation with the Ministry of Policing for the Fiji Police to conduct frequent patrol to the cane belt to assure that protection is afforded to cane farms.
The Committee will be visiting the Western Division to meet farmers, miller and other stakeholders from Wednesday, 8 July 2026 and Thursday, 9 July 2026. This will be an opportune time to discuss and relay your concerns, make suggestions on how we can make sugar industry viable and sustainable in the future.
The Government appreciates the contribution and cooperation of all the stakeholders in the sugar industry.
The Committee will also have additional meetings and discuss the future direction of the Sugar Industry and the diversification process into the future.
End.
