The Coalition Government has strongly refuted claims made by Opposition MP Jone Usamate regarding the sugar industry, asserting that such claims are both inaccurate and lacking in context. Acting Prime Minister Filimoni Vosarogo emphasized the significance of the sugar sector to Fiji’s economy and rural communities, and attributed current challenges in the industry to a long-standing decline that began under the previous government.
Vosarogo pointed out that sugar cane production saw a drastic decrease, plummeting from around three million tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes during the Opposition’s 16 years in power. In response to this decline, the Coalition Government has implemented measures that have resulted in the highest cane payments in Fiji’s history. Growers received over $91 per tonne in 2022, $105 in 2023, and are expected to exceed $101 per tonne in 2024.
The government has introduced a series of initiatives aimed at revitalizing the industry, including new incentives for growers, support for harvesting, transport subsidies, assistance with leases, and investments in mechanization to enhance efficiency. Vosarogo also addressed concerns regarding unharvested cane in certain mill areas, attributing these issues to various factors such as an accidental fire at the Rarawai Mill, labor shortages, and logistical hurdles faced during an unprecedented 2025 crushing season. He noted that despite these challenges, the mills were able to process approximately 1.48 million tonnes of cane, an increase from 1.33 million tonnes the previous season.
Clarifying the issue of unharvested cane, Vosarogo stated that this is not a novel occurrence and that decisions regarding mill closures are made according to the Master Award, with prior consultation from the Sugarcane Growers Council. He stressed that the difficulties plaguing the sugar industry are structural in nature and should be approached as such, rather than being politicized.
This commitment to supporting the sugar industry reflects a broader effort to stabilize and enhance Fiji’s agricultural sector, underscoring the Coalition Government’s resolve to address inherited challenges and promote sustainable growth.