The financial crisis facing Fiji’s cane farmers has intensified following a decision by the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission to increase the hire rate for mechanical harvesters by more than 30 percent, prompting growers to harden their stance against harvesting unless their demands are addressed.
At a meeting in Sigatoka yesterday, cane growers reaffirmed their position that they will not begin harvesting until meaningful negotiations are held with the National Farmers Union, which they maintain is the legitimate representative of farmers.
The FCCC has approved an increase in the harvester hire rate from $18.90 per tonne last season to $24.63 per tonne this year, representing a 30.3 percent rise. This means farmers will pay an additional $5.73 per tonne to use harvesting machinery during the 2026 crushing season.
The NFU says the increase comes at a time when growers are already grappling with escalating production costs brought about by the ongoing fuel crisis and other economic pressures.
Farmers are currently seeking a cane delivery price of $60 per tonne, arguing that anything less would leave them operating at a loss. Union officials say the latest increase in harvesting costs could push growers a further $6 to $7 per tonne out of pocket.
The meeting in Sigatoka reinforced resolutions passed at recent farmer gatherings throughout the Western Division and Labasa, where growers repeatedly mandated the Union to pursue direct negotiations with Government.
The dispute has been further complicated by the rejection of the Government’s recently announced $5 million fuel subsidy package by lorry, tractor and harvester operators. Operators argue that the conditions attached to the subsidy are too restrictive and that the assistance is limited to only a month despite ongoing volatility in fuel prices throughout the harvesting season.
NFU General Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry maintains that the issue confronting growers is fundamentally economic rather than political.
According to the Union, many farmers believe harvesting under current conditions would result in substantial financial losses, making it difficult to justify proceeding with the crop.
The Union also pointed to recent comments by the Minister for Sugar encouraging growers to diversify into other crops. While supporting diversification in principle, the NFU says the immediate concern is the 2026 cane crop that is already in the ground and ready for harvest.
The Union says it has long advocated for greater support to help growers diversify their farming operations but claims those recommendations were not acted upon.
Growers are now calling on Government to engage directly with their elected representatives to resolve the impasse and secure a pathway forward for the industry, insisting that negotiations must take place across the table rather than through public statements and media releases.
