Fiji’s sugar industry has reached its highest Tonnes of Cane to Tonnes of Sugar (TCTS) ratio in nearly a decade, raising concerns regarding milling efficiency and the quality of cane. The latest data released by the Reserve Bank of Fiji indicates that the TCTS ratio has surged to approximately 13 in 2025, marking the highest level since 2017 when it was around 9. This means that the Fiji Sugar Corporation’s mills require 13 tonnes of cane to produce just one tonne of sugar.
The TCTS ratio serves as a crucial metric for assessing sugar production efficiency. A higher ratio typically signifies poorer sugar extraction from the harvested cane, which may arise from various issues, such as delayed harvesting, a decline in cane quality, or inefficiencies in the milling process.
In addition to the rising TCTS ratio, cane production has not reached previous highs, with about 1.45 million tonnes harvested in 2025 compared to nearly 1.8 million tonnes in 2019. The sugar output has also seen a significant decline over the years, dropping to around 110,000 tonnes in 2025, down from approximately 180,000 tonnes in 2017. Furthermore, export earnings from sugar have shown fluctuations during this period, reflecting the shifts in production levels.
Despite these challenges, the industry has an opportunity to address these concerns and improve both milling practices and cane quality to enhance overall production efficiency. By investing in better practices and technologies, Fiji’s sugar sector can work towards reversing these trends and re-establishing its vital contribution to the economy.
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