Sugarcane farmers have been told there will be “no” increase in the harvesting and cartage rates for the 2021 crushing season.

The Sugar Industry Tribunal issued the directive after farmers around Fiji said they would boycott harvesting this year because of high costs anticipated after a $54.36 per tonne of cane forecast price was announced last week for the 2021 season.

“The harvesting rates approved for gangs in the 2020 season will be the harvesting rates approved for gangs in the 2021 season,” said Tribunal registrar Timothy Brown.

He said the 2020 cartage rates would also apply this year.

Farmers have been informed the 2021 delivery payment would be $32.61 per tonne and many claimed they would make a loss because it was well below what it would cost them to harvest and cart cane to the mills.

Harvesting and cartage rates vary for farmers, dependent on their distance from the mill.

Vanua Levu growers claimed their cost per tonne was $38 while Tavua farmers said theirs was $40 per tonne.

The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission have set $17.50 per tonne of cane for mechanical harvesters.

“There will be no approval for increases in harvesting or cartage rates in 2021 season unless there are very special circumstances,” said Mr Brown.