The Fiji Sugar Corporation will meet its export quota deadlines and maintain timely payments to farmers despite mill disruptions and global market volatility, Minister for Sugar and Multi-Ethnic Affairs Charan Jeath Singh told Parliament.
Responding to a question from Opposition MP Viam Pillay, Mr Singh said FSC’s export program remained on track.
“FSC remains fully committed to meeting all export obligations for the 2025 season and maintaining a timely payment cycle for farmers,” he said.
To date, FSC has completed two export shipments — 9425 tonnes of sugar to the United States under the US tariff quota and 38,000 tonnes to the United Kingdom.
A second UK shipment is scheduled to depart mid-December.
Mr Singh said the corporation’s diversified market portfolio had protected it against global price shifts.
“FSC has secured reliable buyers due to its longstanding partnerships in the UK, Europe, Asia and the United States,” he said.
Sugar sales, he added, were tendered through international brokers to secure the best pricing at the time of shipment.
He said FSC had consistently met or exceeded US quota allocations over the past five years, demonstrating export reliability.
Opposition MPs had pressed the Minister on farmer payments and penalties, asking whether burnt-cane deductions would be waived.
Mr Singh said he was aware farmers were suffering but “this is not our doing.”
The penalty structure is set under the Master Award, and he said Government was working with the Sugar Tribunal on amendments.
Asked whether final payments would be on time, Mr Singh said, the final payment for the last season was already paid.
On concerns about mill shutdowns affecting quota commitments, he said FSC had “the capacity and sufficient time to crush all cane” and would meet its export deadlines.
