Opposition Member of Parliament Viam Pillay is urging the Government to urgently reverse its decision regarding the early closure of the Labasa Sugar Mill, scheduled for 24 November 2025. Pillay warns that this decision could lead to severe financial hardship for sugarcane farmers on Vanua Levu.
In a statement, Pillay labeled the Fiji Sugar Corporation’s (FSC) announcement as “grossly unjust” and indicative of “political neglect.” He emphasizes the impracticality of harvesting the remaining cane in time, stating, “We know it is impossible to clear the crop by then, and the Government knows it.” Currently, approximately 17,000 tonnes of cane remain unharvested in the Natua and Bulivou sectors, with vast quantities still standing across the wider Labasa area.
Pillay pointed out that the mill is currently processing about 4,000 tonnes of cane per day, making it unlikely that all of the remaining crop will be processed before the closure date. In contrast, he highlighted that the Lautoka Mill was granted an extension until 1 January 2026 following issues arising from a fire at the Rarawai Mill, questioning why similar leniency hasn’t been extended to farmers in the North. “The crisis in the West cannot be allowed to cause economic devastation in the North,” he asserted, calling this situation a “systemic disregard” for the farmers’ plight.
In light of these developments, Pillay is urging the Sugar Industry Tribunal to order the Labasa Mill to continue crushing sugar until all harvested cane in Vanua Levu is processed. He also called for the establishment of a dedicated task force by the FSC to redeploy workers and mechanical harvesters to remaining cane-producing areas, arguing that the current system needs to be improved to prevent loss of capacity due to delays at the mill.
Warning that struggling families in the North could suffer significant financial losses without immediate government intervention, Pillay implored, “Stop letting our families suffer. Intervene now. Extend the crush until the job is done. Do not let this crop rot.” His appeals reflect an ongoing concern regarding the welfare of farmers within the Fiji sugar industry, a sector already marked by challenges, including issues of operational efficiency and rising production costs as highlighted in previous articles.
The situation emphasizes the critical need for strategic interventions to support farmers, particularly as they navigate ongoing economic pressures. While the current landscape appears challenging, there remains hope that concerted efforts among stakeholders can lead to a more resilient and prosperous future for Fiji’s sugar industry, ultimately benefitting the farmers reliant on it.