The Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) has called for a shift away from short-term financial fixes, urging Government and industry stakeholders to focus on stronger governance, strategic leadership and meaningful grower participation to secure the future of Fiji’s sugar industry.
In a statement, SCGC Chief Executive Officer Vimal Dutt said while public discussion on the industry’s future was welcome, the immediate priority was ensuring the 2026 harvesting season was successfully completed.
“At this critical stage of the season, cane growers require confidence, encouragement and practical support.”
Dutt acknowledged the industry was facing major challenges, including declining global sugar prices, rising production costs, ageing infrastructure, labour shortages and climate-related impacts.
However, he said discussions on the industry’s future must extend beyond financial costs.
“The future of Fiji’s sugar industry should also be examined through the broader lens of governance, accountability, strategic leadership and long-term sustainability.”
He said the decline of the sugar industry was not solely an economic issue but also reflected years of weakened governance.
According to Dutt, institutions that once provided strategic coordination and long-term planning had gradually disappeared, reducing industry leadership and grower representation.
“The Council believes that the industry’s decline is not solely an economic issue, it is also a governance issue.”
The SCGC also defended the role of cane growers, saying they should not shoulder the blame for the industry’s broader challenges.
Dutt said growers continued to invest in their farms despite rising costs and uncertainty, while the milling sector and other institutions also had responsibilities to improve operational performance.
“Growers should not become the default explanation for systemic shortcomings elsewhere in the value chain.”
Rather than debating whether the sugar industry should continue, Dutt said the focus should be on strategic renewal through stronger governance, modern infrastructure, innovation and diversification.
He called for a national Cane Growers Seminar bringing together Government, the Fiji Sugar Corporation, growers, millers and other stakeholders to develop a shared vision for the industry’s future.
“The Council firmly believes that Fiji’s sugar industry has a future not through assigning blame, but through shared responsibility, stronger governance, strategic leadership and meaningful partnership.”
