Opposition Member of Parliament Viam Pillay has called on the Government to urgently reverse the planned early closure of the Labasa Sugar Mill, warning that the decision threatens to plunge Vanua Levu’s cane farmers into severe financial hardship.
In a statement, Pillay said the Fiji Sugar Corporation’s (FSC) announcement that the mill would close on 24 November 2025 was “grossly unjust” and amounted to “political neglect.”
“We beg the Government to immediately intervene and overturn the grossly unjust scheduled closure of the Labasa Mill,” Pillay said.
“We know it is impossible to clear the crop by then, and the Government knows it.”
According to Pillay, at least 17,000 tonnes of cane remain unharvested in the Natua and Bulivou sectors alone, with “massive volumes” still standing across the wider Labasa mill area.
The mill is currently crushing approximately 4,000 tonnes per day, making completion before the scheduled closure unrealistic.
Pillay also noted that while the Lautoka Mill has been granted an extension until 1 January 2026 due to the Rarawai Mill fire, no similar consideration has been shown to farmers in the North.
“The crisis in the West cannot be allowed to cause economic devastation in the North,” he said.
“Forcing Labasa to shut down early is systemic disregard, plain and simple. Vanua Levu demands operational parity.”
Pillay is calling on the Sugar Industry Tribunal to order the Labasa Mill to continue crushing until every harvested load in Vanua Levu is processed.
“The mill must crush to completion.”
He urged the FSC to establish a dedicated task force and redeploy all available workers and mechanical harvesters to the remaining cane-producing areas.
Pillay also wants the cane dumping system reinstated to improve lorry turnaround times.
“We cannot afford 4,000 tonnes of cane capacity to be wasted waiting in lines,” he said.
Pillay warned that without decisive action, struggling families in the North would bear the brunt of the losses.
“Stop letting our families suffer. Intervene now. Extend the crush until the job is done,” he said. “Do not let this crop rot.”
