CANE farmers in Seaqaqa, Macuata, are warning that rising fuel prices will significantly increase transport and harvesting costs ahead of the 2026 sugar crushing season, scheduled to begin on June 13.
Long-serving cane farmer Mukesh Hussain said growers were already feeling the financial strain as operational expenses continue to climb.
“Lorry costs from the farm are very high,” he said.
Mr Hussain said the increase in fuel prices was directly affecting the transportation of sugarcane from farms to mills, placing additional pressure on farmers preparing for the crushing season.
“The fuel price has gone very high and it will affect the work on the farm,” he said.
Mr Hussain called for continued support for cane growers to help ease the burden of escalating operational costs and maintain stable cane production during the season.
Labour cuts considered to save costs
RISING fuel prices are expected to place additional strain on this year’s sugar crushing season, with many farmers considering reducing labour as they struggle to manage increasing operational expenses during harvesting.
Cane farmer Ayub Khan of Tabia, Labasa said growers were already reassessing how they operate their farms in response to escalating costs.
“I may reduce labour from eight workers to about four,” he said.
Mr Khan said labour remained one of the largest expenses in cane farming, particularly for farmers who rely on workers travelling from distant areas.
“Many farmers are now looking at cutting down on labour to reduce overall spending,” he said.
He said rising fuel prices were not only increasing transportation costs for cane delivery, but were also affecting the daily movement of workers and farm machinery.
Mr Khan added that even farmers who owned machinery were feeling the pressure of higher running costs and were being forced to adjust operations to remain financially viable.
He said growers across the sugar industry were facing similar challenges.
According to Mr Khan, the increasing costs are raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of sugarcane farming, particularly for farmers who depend solely on cane production as their source of income.
The 2026 crushing season is expected to begin mid June.
