National Farmers Union threatens harvest boycott over cane price

The National Farmers Union (NFU) says sugarcane farmers will refuse to harvest from today in protest over the Government's decision to retain the guaranteed cane price at $85 a tonne, setting up a standoff ahead of the official start of the 2026 crushing season.

Former prime minister, Fiji Labour Party leader and NFU general secretary Mahendra Chaudhry said growers had rejected the Government's refusal to increase the minimum guaranteed price to $110 a tonne, arguing that production costs had risen sharply since the current price was introduced in 2018.

The warning comes despite the Government announcing last week that harvesting would begin today ahead of the official start of the 2026 crushing season on Wednesday.

"The farmers will maintain the no-harvest stand," Mr Chaudhry said.

"The Budget delivered maintains the $85 per tonne price fixed in 2018. Since then, costs have escalated by around 35 per cent.

"Farmers have decided they will maintain their stand and not harvest until they obtain justice and a fair price."

Government stands firm

However, Minister for Sugar, Agriculture and Waterways Tomasi Tunabuna said the Government would proceed with the 2026 crushing season as scheduled, with the Labasa, Rarawai and Lautoka sugar mills set to begin operations on Wednesday.

He urged farmers not to jeopardise the industry and instead engage in dialogue with the ministry over their concerns.

The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) advised farmers last Friday to begin harvesting from today.

Mr Tunabuna said the mills were originally scheduled to begin crushing in the middle of June.

"We are going to begin the crushing season this week and I urge farmers to think about themselves and do the right thing," Mr Tunabuna said.

"The Budget announcement was made last Friday and it maintains its position."

Minister urges dialogue

Mr Tunabuna questioned why some individuals and organisations continued to discourage farmers from harvesting.

"I can sit down with anybody to have discussions. I have said it before, but no one has sent me an email about their grievance, especially the National Farmers Union," he said.

"I have explained the calculation related to the guaranteed price and the top-up that will be provided."

He called on Mr Chaudhry to approach the ministry to discuss farmers' concerns instead of promoting a harvest boycott that could jeopardise the sugar industry.

Budget support

Minister for Finance Esrom Immanuel announced a $221 million allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry in the 2026-2027 National Budget.

"The sugar industry has been on a decline and, given the economics of the industry and to protect the interests of farmers and taxpayers, Government will focus on sugar industry diversification in the medium term," Mr Immanuel said.

"However, in the interim the sugar industry will continue to be supported with funding of $96.3 million.

"With the forecast price of $57 per tonne, $41.6 million is allocated in the 2026-2027 National Budget to provide about a $28 per tonne top-up payment."

Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive officer Vimal Dutt said the council had worked with FSC to finalise the dates for the 2026 crushing season.

"There are some farmers who want to cut cane and we can't hold them back over some issues or concerns because they also need money to survive," Mr Dutt said.

"We must consider the effects of climate change, which is affecting weather patterns. We are encouraging farmers to start harvesting so they do not get caught up in the challenges associated with wet weather."

Sugar Cane Growers Fund chief executive officer Raj Sharma said the organisation had maintained its position even before FSC announced the start of the crushing season.