The Sugar Industry Tribunal has made a significant announcement regarding the Lautoka Mill, declaring the termination of the 2025 crushing season, effective Friday, December 12, 2025. This directive was issued by tribunal head Semi Leweniqila following discussions with the Sugar Cane Growers Council and Fiji Sugar Corporation leadership.
With the closure of the Lautoka Mill approaching, the Tribunal has advised all sugar cane growers and harvesting teams associated with the mill to prioritize the collection and delivery of any remaining cane by Thursday, December 11, 2025. This deadline allows for the efficient processing of the last of the sugar cane before the mill ceases operations.
Timothy Brown, the Registrar of the Tribunal, has disseminated this notice to the relevant parties. Following the closure of the Lautoka Mill, the Rarawai mill in Ba will be the only mill left operational, representing a shift in the distribution of sugar milling activities within the region.
This development highlights the ongoing changes in the sugar industry and emphasizes the importance of timely harvests to maximize production in the lead-up to the mill’s closure. While challenges may lie ahead for growers and suppliers, there remains an opportunity for them to optimize their operations during this transitional period.
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