The sugar industry recorded losses estimated at more than $34 million during the 2025 season, with concerns raised over the high tonnes cane to tonnes sugar (TCTS) ratio and milling performance.
National Farmers Union general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry said the exceptionally high TCTS ratio was the main factor contributing to the loss.
According to Mr Chaudhry, the Fiji Sugar Corporation crushed 1.467 million tonnes of cane at a TCTS ratio of 13.21, producing 111,035 tonnes of sugar.
He said the expected sugar output should have been around 146,718 tonnes based on a TCTS ratio closer to 10:1, which he noted had been the norm in recent years.
“The acceptable target for efficient operations is a TCTS of 8.00 to 9.00, meaning eight to nine tonnes of cane should produce one tonne of sugar,” he said.
Mr Chaudhry said Fiji recorded TCTS ratios between 8.0 and 9.0 from 2013 to 2017, while the ratio remained between 10 and 11 from 2018 to 2024.
“An average TCTS of 13.21 is just not acceptable,” he said.
He questioned why lower TCTS ratios achieved in previous years could not be maintained.
Mr Chaudhry said the estimated $34 million loss was shared between cane growers and FSC, with growers carrying about 70 per cent of the impact, estimated at $23.8 million, while FSC absorbed around $10.2 million.
“In the case of the grower, the loss is equivalent to about $13 per tonne of cane for the 2025 season crop,” he said.
Mr Chaudhry also said the sugar industry could return to profitability if TCTS ratios improved and operational efficiency was strengthened.
