The Rarawai Sugar Mill is scheduled to resume its crushing operations in early December 2025, as confirmed by Charan Jeath Singh, the Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry. Singh provided this update in response to a parliamentary question, emphasizing that rehabilitation efforts at the Ba-based mill are advancing under the supervision of the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC).
The FSC anticipates completing essential rehabilitation works to allow for factory operation trials by the end of November, with actual crushing expected to start in the first week of December. This progress follows a significant fire that caused extensive damage to crucial infrastructure, necessitating a comprehensive recovery project that involves mechanical, civil, electrical, and instrumentation repairs.
As of October 2025, rehabilitation works have reached various stages: mechanical and civil works are at 50% completion, electrical works at 36%, and instrumentation and control systems at 33%. While operations are on track to restart next month, complete rehabilitation, which includes roofing, building repairs, and standby generator installations, will not be finalized until May 2026. This extended timeline results from lead times for manufacturing and shipping necessary components, but Singh reassured that these additional works would not affect the planned resumption of crushing.
The total estimated cost of damage is still being finalized, with the minister explaining that various assessment levels and legal obligations must be addressed before releasing final figures. Despite the procurement delays, Singh expressed confidence in the FSC’s rehabilitation efforts and commended the coordinated approach to restore the mill, which plays a vital role in sustaining Fiji’s milling capacity and the livelihoods of local sugar farmers.
This commitment to rebuilding the Rarawai Mill is part of a broader collaborative effort involving the government and various stakeholders in the sugar industry. Recent initiatives also include financial assistance for farmers rerouting their cane to other mills to mitigate any disruptions. Overall, there remains a strong sense of optimism surrounding the industry’s recovery, emphasizing resilience and sustainability as key elements moving forward.
The ongoing collaborative efforts among stakeholders in Fiji’s sugar sector signal a hopeful direction as the industry seeks to overcome these challenges, ensure economic stability, and safeguard the livelihoods of those dependent on sugar production.
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