National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad has urged sugarcane growers to ignore calls to boycott the 2026 harvesting season, accusing unnamed politicians of using farmers to advance their own political ambitions.
With the 2026 sugarcane harvesting and crushing season officially beginning tomorrow, Professor Prasad said growers should begin harvesting and take advantage of government support measures put in place to cushion rising fuel costs.
“I therefore urge all growers to start harvesting and ignore deceptive politicians who are roaming in the cane belts and using them as sacrificial pawns to suit their own devious political agenda.”
The Fiji Sugar Corporation has confirmed that crushing will begin today, with harvesting gangs already preparing for the season and submitting their Memorandum of Gang Agreement (MOGA). Several gangs have also begun harvesting.
Professor Prasad highlighted the Government’s $5 million fuel subsidy, which runs from 20 June to 31 August, saying it will help offset increased harvesting and transportation costs.
Under the subsidy, harvesters will receive $5 per tonne of cane, while transport subsidies for lorry operators will vary according to tonnage and the average distance travelled to the mills. The payments will be made directly to growers alongside their cane delivery payments.
“The subsidy will be paid directly to the growers when they receive their delivery payment. This will ensure that growers do not face financial hardship due to rising costs.”
Professor Prasad said the Coalition Government had consistently delivered higher cane payments than previous administrations.
He said growers received more than $91 per tonne in 2023, over $105 per tonne in 2024 and more than $101 per tonne in 2025.
Despite a significant decline in world raw sugar prices, he said Government allocated more than $36 million to top up payments for the 2025 crop, ensuring growers receive a guaranteed minimum payment of $86.04 per tonne.
Looking ahead, Professor Prasad said the 2026-2027 National Budget allocates $96 million to the sugar industry, including $41.6 million to maintain the guaranteed cane price of $85 per tonne this season.
“A sum of $41.6 million has been allocated to ensure growers receive the guaranteed price of $85 per tonne for this season. This money will be used to top up cane payment by $28 per tonne based on the forecast price of $57.40 per tonne.”
