Government may import sugar amid shortage fears

Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna says Government may still import sugar to meet local demand.

This followed concerns that some supermarkets had little to no sugar on their shelves, even as harvesting gets underway following the standoff between farmers and Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC).

"The demand for sugar, there is demand for sugar," Mr Tunabuna said yesterday.

"If we are not producing sugar to meet the demand we have in the supermarket, we will run out of sugar."

Asked whether Government would import sugar to fill the gap, Mr Tunabuna confirmed it remained an option being considered.

"Because the demand will be there, the government is probably going to look at some avenues to meet the demand of our people," he said.

"We have to look at how we will have to service the need our people have. We need sugar."

Mr Tunabuna said reports from the ground indicated cane deliveries had resumed after weeks of delay.

"According to the reports that I'm getting from my principal agriculture officer in the West, who is also working with our sugar staff, they are already travelling up the field, smoking trucks, some have been taken to the mill," he said.

"I'm led to believe from very reasonable sources that harvesting is already underway. It may be slow, as I've said, but they have started."

FSC's crushing season began yesterday at the Labasa Mill, with northern farmers now able to deliver their sugarcane for processing.