Sugarcane farmers in Ba have resolved not to harvest their 2026 crop unless the Government and Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) respond to a list of longstanding grievances, including demands for higher cane prices, fuel rebates and compensation for losses suffered during the 2025 season.
The decision was made during National Farmers Union (NFU) meetings held at the Ba Red Cross Hall and later at the Shri Venkatesh Permal Temple in Vunisamaloa today.
Farmers have called for the start of the crushing season to be deferred until their concerns are addressed.
The Sugar Industry Tribunal has announced that the Lautoka Mill will begin crushing on June 10, followed by Rarawai on June 16 and Labasa on June 17.
At the centre of growers’ concerns is the forecast cane price of $57.40 per tonne announced for the 2026 season, which they say results in a delivery payment that is insufficient to cover rising costs.
Farmers argued that harvesting and transportation expenses have increased sharply, particularly following recent fuel price hikes.
“Costs have risen astronomically in 2026 with the sharp increase in the price of diesel fuel which has gone up by 60 per cent in the past couple of months,” growers said.
They are demanding that the forecast price be revised to $85 per tonne, which they say would increase the delivery payment to $52 per tonne. Combined with the Government’s recently announced top-up of $7.56 per tonne, growers estimate this would lift the total delivery payment to $59.56 per tonne.
Farmers are also calling for the guaranteed minimum cane price to be increased from $85 to $110 per tonne and reviewed annually.
Other demands include a fuel rebate, the retention of rail transport services, compensation for an estimated 120,000 tonnes of standover cane from the 2025 season, payment of outstanding harvesting and incentive payments, refunds of burnt cane penalties, and improvements to cane access roads before crushing begins.
The growers also raised concerns about their treatment by FSC.
They are seeking better communication during mill breakdowns, improved washroom and toilet facilities at mills, and the establishment of rest areas for farmers and lorry drivers waiting to offload cane.
NFU general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry said the concerns had been communicated to the Sugar Minister in letters sent on December 18, 2025 and May 4, 2026.
“Farmers demand answers to issues raised therein. And they expect to be treated with some respect. They will pursue their claims to obtain justice,” Chaudhry said.
He urged growers to remain united in pursuing their demands.
“Solidarity was absolutely important,” he said, adding that farmers would only be successful in negotiating solutions if they stood together.
