Cane lorry drivers in Vanua Levu spend almost $400 a week on fuel, says Labasa Cane Lorry Association general secretary Mohammed Idrish.
He said even though the fuel price dropped, it would not make much difference to them.
Mr Idrish said the situation was making it tough for everyone concerned.
“That’s how it is today, the survival of the fittest and it’s sad because only the cane farmers will suffer because a full tank of fuel will cost about $190,” he said.
“This full tank can only make two trips so by the third trip to the mill, drivers have to fill up again so that’s about $380, for some it’s more.
“We don’t make any profit as there are a lot of expenses including labourers’ food, water and electricity bills and their weekend ration of grog which is expensive.”
Mr Idrish said the situation was made worse when lorries were only allowed a minimum of 10 tonnes of cane per load.
“This is to basically help lorry owners cover the cost of that trip. So farmers can’t load less than 10 tonnes of cane because the cost of this cartage will not pay for the expenses of that one trip. So if I load eight tonnes of cane, I need to pay for the extra two tonnes to the lorry owner otherwise he will not make money.
“The situation is really tough and we are working together just to help each farmer get through the season.”
