The Coalition Government has rejected claims made by Opposition MP Jone Usamate regarding the sugar industry, asserting that these claims are both inaccurate and devoid of proper context. Acting Prime Minister Filimoni Vosarogo emphasized the significance of sugar as a crucial national industry that supports rural livelihoods and plays a vital role in Fiji’s economy. He pointed out that many of the current challenges facing the industry can be traced back to a decline that occurred during the previous government’s 16-year tenure.
The Prime Minister highlighted the steep drop in cane production, which fell from approximately three million tonnes under the Opposition to about 1.5 million tonnes. He underlined the Coalition Government’s efforts to revitalize the sector, noting that they have provided the highest cane payments in the history of Fiji. In 2022, growers received over $91 per tonne, which increased to $105 in 2023 and was projected to stay above $101 per tonne in 2024.
Vosarogo mentioned various measures introduced by the government to support the industry, including new incentives, harvesting assistance, transport subsidies, and lease assistance, along with investments in mechanization. Addressing the issue of unharvested cane in certain mill areas, he explained that this situation arose from several factors, such as a fire incident at the Rarawai Mill, labor shortages, and logistical hurdles encountered during an abnormal 2025 crushing season.
Despite these challenges, the mills managed to process around 1.48 million tonnes of cane, which is an increase from 1.33 million tonnes the previous season. The Prime Minister clarified that the issue of standing-over cane is not new and that decisions regarding mill closures are made in accordance with the Master Award, with consultations involving the Sugarcane Growers Council.
Filimoni Vosarogo reiterated that the challenges present in the sugar industry are structural in nature and should not be politicized. Through their ongoing initiatives, the Coalition Government aims to stabilize and grow the sector for the benefit of all stakeholders involved, demonstrating optimism for the future of Fiji’s sugar industry.
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