Deputy Leader of the Opposition Parveen Kumar Bala has called on the Coalition Government to urgently secure funding to guarantee a minimum cane price of $85 per tonne and introduce fuel subsidies for sugarcane transportation ahead of the 2026 crushing season.
Bala said the forecast cane price of $57.60 per tonne announced by the Fiji Sugar Corporation was far too low and would place significant financial pressure on cane farmers already grappling with rising production costs.
“The Fiji Sugar Corporation has announced a forecast price of just $57.60 per tonne for 2026. Under this figure, farmers would receive a delivery payment of only $34.44 per tonne with top up of $7.56 which is unacceptable,” Bala said.
He warned that growers were facing escalating expenses at a time when returns remained uncertain.
“Meanwhile, farmers are bleeding. Labour rates have jumped from $25 to as high as $35 per tonne. Diesel now stands at $4.58 per litre.”
Bala said funding to assist farmers was available through development partners and should be directed towards immediate relief measures.
“Australia has provided $47.48 million in targeted budget support for Fiji’s fuel crisis response. New Zealand has added NZD$8.5 million. All this funding is intended to provide immediate relief to ordinary Fijians and cane farmers.”
The Opposition is demanding that Government use available resources to raise the cane price to a guaranteed minimum of $85 per tonne through a subsidy arrangement and provide assistance to transport operators servicing the sugar industry.
“The Opposition demands a guaranteed $85 per tonne minimum price raised from the forecast $57.60 through Government subsidy alongside an immediate fuel subsidy for lorry operators, mechanical harvesters and tractors.”
Bala said the situation required urgent action and cooperation from all stakeholders to prevent further instability in the sugar sector.
“This is the real time for all leaders, all stakeholders, the FSC and the Government to come together and resolve this crisis.”
He also revealed that the Leader of the Opposition has formally written to Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka seeking a meeting to discuss issues surrounding the 2026 sugar crushing season.
“Considering the urgency in resolving the crisis, the Hon. Leader of Opposition has formally written to the Hon. Prime Minister for an audience to discuss the 2026 sugar crushing season.”
The call comes amid growing concern from farmers and industry stakeholders over low cane prices, rising fuel costs and increasing harvesting and transportation expenses ahead of the new crushing season.
