Fiji sugar mills prepared for 2026 crushing season, govt targets fewer breakdowns
Fiji’s three sugar mills are fully prepared for the 2026 crushing season, with the government aiming to reduce breakdowns and improve output. Minister Tomasi Tunabuna announced a feasibility study for long-term reforms, while farmers were urged to supply green cane. A fourth cane payment of $12.84 is due soon.
Fiji’s sugar industry is gearing up for the 2026 crushing season with all three sugar mills fully prepared, as the government steps up efforts to reduce operational breakdowns and improve overall production.
Speaking during the Prime Minister’s Sugarcane Farmers Mill Awards programme in Labasa, Minister for Sugar Tomasi Tunabuna said preparatory work had been completed at the Labasa, Lautoka and Ba mills ahead of the new season, Fiji Sun reported.
Tunabuna expressed confidence that the crushing season would begin without major disruptions. He also announced that a feasibility study would be carried out to identify key issues affecting sugar production and help the ministry develop long-term solutions to reduce industry losses and operational challenges.
He said the sugar industry could continue to survive and recover if all stakeholders remained committed and resilient in efforts to revive the sector.
The minister urged farmers to work closely with the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) in helping mills achieve production targets. He also encouraged growers to supply green cane rather than burnt cane or unapproved varieties.
Meanwhile, Sugar Cane Growers Fund chief executive officer Raj Sharma praised the FSC Labasa mill for emerging as the country’s best-performing mill, contributing 33% of Fiji’s total sugar production.
Sharma credited the performance to farmers who consistently supplied strong cane volumes to the mill.
During the event, Tunabuna also cautioned sugarcane farmers against depending on unofficial social media pages and accounts for information related to the sugar industry.
He said certain politicians had used platforms such as Facebook to create confusion among farmers over issues related to cane payments and payout delays.
The ministry confirmed that a fourth cane payment of $12.84 would be released to farmers in the coming days.
Tunabuna added that he plans to meet sugarcane farmers across the country over the next few weeks to better understand challenges being faced at the grassroots level.
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Source : ChiniMandi
