Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh says Fiji’s sugar export prices climbed sharply after 2021, peaking in 2023 before easing this year — but still remain above pre-pandemic levels.
Responding to a written question in Parliament, Singh tabled figures showing the export price per tonne rose from $727 in 2020 to $1,485 in 2023, before moderating to $1,088 in 2024.
He said the trend was largely shaped by global market forces.
“Export sugar prices are driven primarily by global supply and demand dynamics,” the minister stated.
Prices were flat during the first two pandemic years, but conditions shifted quickly.
“Prices were stable in 2020–2021, increased sharply in 2022, and peaked in 2023 due to lower global sugar production, increased ethanol production and stronger international demand,” Singh said.
The minister noted that prices softened this year as supply recovered.
“Prices declined in 2024 as global supply conditions stabilised but still remained higher than 2020–2021 levels,” he added.
Singh also clarified that the reported figures apply only to export sales and not to sugar sold locally or within the region.
“The export price figures provided relate only to sugar exports and do not include regional or domestic sugar sales. Molasses revenue is also not included in the export price figures,” he said.
He stressed that all revenue sources are considered when calculating what farmers ultimately receive.
“All these revenue streams — export sugar, regional and domestic sales, and molasses — must be combined to calculate the final cane price paid to farmers,” Singh said.
The minister said the industry continues to track global movements closely as Fiji works to stabilise production and improve returns to growers.
