Sugar cane growers will receive a special $5 per tonne cane payment on top of the fourth cane payment of $17.03 for each tonne of cane they harvested last year.
According to the Fiji Sugar Corporation, farmers will receive these payments later this week.
The welcome news was announced by FSC board chairman Nitya Reddy following the confirmation of the $17.03 per tonne fourth cane payment.
He said the corporation’s unrelenting efforts to exceed the guaranteed price were a definite sign of progress in the sector and an expression of its deep empathy for all the stakeholders.
“We know what farmers are up against, and we’re doing everything within our reach to ensure that they get a fair return,” he said.
“Paying more than the guaranteed price shows that we’re not just meeting expectations, but also zealously striving to exceed them.”
According to FSC, the fourth cane payment would be made on, May 23, taking the total payment to $86.66 per tonne for the 2024 season, surpassing the Government’s guaranteed price of $85 per tonne.
In accordance with the Sugar Industry Master Award, it is certified that the net share of cane proceeds received and receivable by growers as of April 30, 2025, stood at $115,427,843 which was equivalent to $86.66 per tonne.
Mr Reddy said the one off $5 per tonne payment would be done without any deductions made to each farmer.
“This extra support from the Government couldn’t have come at a better time.
“It goes straight to the farmers and will ease some of the pressures as they gear up for the 2025 season.”
The fifth and final cane payment for the 2024 crop will be made in October 2025, as scheduled.
Meanwhile, the crushing season is set to begin on June 11 in Lautoka, June 17 in Labasa and June 24 in Rarawai, Ba.
