Farmers seek clarity on sugar price guarantee

Sugarcane farmers have called for clarity on the minimum guaranteed price for sugarcane while raising concerns over land security, declining production and an ageing workforce.

During a sugar industry consultation, farmer Nand Kishore questioned the explanation that the $85-per-tonne payment was a minimum guaranteed price rather than a fixed guaranteed price.

"I came to know only yesterday that it was minimum. Is it right? Is it correct?" he asked.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Biman Prasad said the $85-per-tonne rate was set before 2018 and that farmers could receive higher payments depending on market conditions.

He said cane farmers received $91 per tonne in 2023, $105 per tonne in 2024 and $101 per tonne in 2025.

Mr Prasad said the forecast price was linked to global sugar market prices and should not be confused with the final payment received by farmers.

He said rising harvesting, transport and labour costs had affected growers and that the Government was considering further support.

"The committee is going to meet next week and we will make a decision on what the price should be and what other support should be provided," he said.

Mr Kishore said farmers should not be blamed for declining sugar production, pointing to expired land leases, the loss of fertile flatlands and migration from rural areas.

He called for longer leases, saying farmers needed security to continue farming.

"If the lease expires, please give us a 50-year lease so farmers can carry on with their work," he said.

Mr Kishore said about 80 per cent of cane farmers were over the age of 60, with fewer young people entering the industry.

Mr Prasad cautioned against shifting all farmers into vegetable production, saying oversupply could reduce prices.

"If all farmers start planting vegetables, the price of vegetables will come down," he said.

The consultation brought together farmers, Government representatives and industry stakeholders to discuss measures to strengthen Fiji's sugar sector.