The National Farmers Union (NFU) has warned the Coalition Government not to short-change cane growers, calling for the full $85 per tonne guaranteed price to be paid for the 2025 crop.
NFU Secretary Mahendra Chaudhry said the current payout schedule released by the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) and the Sugar Ministry falls short by $5.03.
He is urging that the shortfall be included in the fourth cane payment due in May, along with outstanding bonuses of $3 per tonne for manually harvested cane and $5 per tonne for production above farm allotments.
“Don’t cheat the farmers. Pay all their dues,” Mr Chaudhry said.
He cautioned that failure to meet these commitments could affect farmer readiness for the 2026 harvesting season.
“Unless such a commitment is given by the Government, growers will not be ready for the next crop,” he warned.
The NFU has also called on the Sugar Ministry to seek funding approval from the Ministry of Finance during the next parliamentary sitting scheduled from April 27 to May 1.
The union had earlier raised concerns on March 28, urging that all outstanding payments be settled in the upcoming May payout.
