National Federation Party leader and member of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Sugar, Professor Biman Prasad, says cane growers can expect a final price above the guaranteed $85 per tonne for the 2025–26 season.
Professor Prasad dismissed claims by Opposition figures that recent government top-ups represent the final cane price, describing such assertions as misleading.
He clarified that the $36.5 million announced by Government is intended to top up payments across three stages — $10.07 per tonne for the third payment made on April 20, $6.77 per tonne for the fourth payment due in May, and $5.16 per tonne for the final payment due in October.
“This is only the top-up amount and not the payments,” Professor Prasad said.
“If Government had not topped up the third cane payment by $10.07… the third payment would have been only 84 cents per tonne.”
He added that the fourth and final payments are yet to be certified by the Sugar Industry Tribunal and that the top-up amounts will be added to those certified payments.
“Despite having full knowledge of the processes… unscrupulous politicians… are lying to growers and the nation,” he said.
Professor Prasad also pointed to previous seasons where growers were short-paid, accusing critics of remaining silent at the time.
“This government has and will ensure growers receive a final payment above the guaranteed price of $85 per tonne, similar to the last three years,” he said.
He warned that attempts to mislead growers ahead of the general election would not succeed.
