THE fourth cane payment this month is what growers are eyeing to prepare for the 2026 crushing season.
Lautoka Cane Producers Association chairman Bala Dass said growers were weary of the rising costs of harvesting which has been exacerbated by another fuel price increase.
“We all know about the guaranteed price of $85 and the leftover amount that is to be paid to the growers in the fourth cane payment,” said Mr Dass.
“But the subsidies is what we will be looking at because with the current price most growers will have none or very little profit when the final cane payment comes out.
“That is something that Government should keep in mind because growers are really concerned, they might not be able to harvest their cane next season.”
He said growers were still waiting for the $3 increase in the subsidy for manual labourers.
“It was promised, but until now they have not been given that $3 increase.
“Growers also had stand-over cane they did not harvest and there has been no word on whether they will be compensated for it.
“So, there is a lot of factors they will be considering going into this new season”
Former Fiji Sugar Corporation board member Arvind Singh said farmers were panicking.
“We welcome Government saying that a top-up has been set aside for growers, but what is FSC and the Council doing?” said Mr Singh.
“We don’t know what the rates will be, especially with the fuel prices increasing. Will they be increased too?”
In Parliament this week, Sugar Industry Minister Tomasi Tunabuna said 51 per cent of the 2025 crop was harvested by mechanical harvesters.
He assured Parliament that assistance would continue as farmers prepare for the 2026 harvesting season, while calling on all stakeholders to work together to manage rising costs and sustain the industry.
