The Sugar Cane Growers Council (SCGC) has announced that the 2025 harvesting season has seen unprecedented levels of stand-over cane, leaving many growers at risk of total income loss. Following a comprehensive assessment conducted across Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, the council reported that a significant amount of both green and burnt cane has gone unharvested.
The SCGC indicated that this year’s season marks the highest level of stand-over cane in recent history, with numerous growers unable to harvest their crops entirely. This situation has been exacerbated by difficulties in securing labor, particularly impacting those who rely heavily on manual harvesting, and further complicated by the fire at the Rarawai Mill, which pressured the industry’s sole functioning mill and extended the harvesting timeline into the rainy season.
The council pointed out that the prolonged harvesting during wet conditions has led to frequent disruptions and excessive rainfall that halted operations. Consequently, growers have continued to bear costs related to labor, transport, and preparation without any corresponding returns. SCGC estimates indicate that approximately 80,000 tonnes of cane remain unharvested, translating to an estimated loss of $8 million for the industry. Additionally, the adverse effects of wet-weather harvesting have caused significant damage to fields, which may affect future ratoon crops and productivity.
As a response, the SCGC has formally requested compensation for the growers impacted by these challenges and has escalated the issue to the Sugar Industry Tribunal for review. The council expressed that if compensation is approved, it would ensure direct payouts to eligible growers. They underscored that the issue of stand-over cane is a priority and acknowledged the genuine concern and anxiety surrounding the substantial losses faced this season.
This situation highlights the ongoing challenges within the sugar cane industry, amid the pressures of climate change and operational interruptions. Nonetheless, the SCGC’s commitment to addressing these issues and seeking redress offers growers a sense of hope for recovery and support in overcoming such adversities in the future.