The National Farmers Union (NFU) says cane farmers will maintain their “no harvest” stand after the 2026-2027 National Budget failed to increase the minimum guaranteed price of cane.
NFU General Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry said the Government had ignored repeated calls from growers to raise the guaranteed cane price to $110 per tonne, leaving farmers with little choice but to continue withholding their crop.
“The National Farmers Union is disappointed that Government has ignored the plea of cane farmers to increase the minimum guaranteed price of cane to $110 per tonne.”
Chaudhry said the Budget retained the $85 per tonne guaranteed price introduced in 2018, despite a sharp increase in production costs over the past eight years.
“The Budget delivered today (yesterday) maintains the $85 per tonne price fixed in 2018 – eight years ago. Since then costs have escalated by around 35 percent.”
He said farmers were now determined to continue their industrial action until they received what they considered a fair return for their cane.
“As a consequence, farmers have decided that they will maintain their stand and not harvest until they obtain justice and a fair price. They want a Delivery Payment of $60 per tonne.”
The statement comes after the Fiji Sugar Corporation announced that crushing at the Lautoka, Rarawai and Labasa mills will begin on 1 July 2026, with harvesting scheduled to commence on 30 June.
However, Chaudhry claimed the Union had been informed of serious operational safety concerns at the Lautoka Mill.
“The Union is reliably informed of serious operational safety issues at the Lautoka Mill. The matter has been referred to the authorities and we await their advice.”
Meanwhile, Chaudhry will address cane farmers at a public meeting in Tavua on Sunday, 28 June, at 10am at Balata College, where the Union is expected to discuss the Budget and the ongoing no-harvest campaign.
