FCCC Moves Swiftly to Protect Sugar Industry Amid Global Fuel Price Surge

The Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission (FCCC) has moved swiftly to protect Fiji's sugar industry by approving temporary adjustments to harvesting and cartage rates, ensuring cane continues to be harvested and transported despite sharp increases in global fuel prices.

The decision comes as international fuel market disruptions place significant pressure on harvesting operators and lorry service providers whose operations are heavily dependent on diesel.

Without intervention, industry stakeholders warned that rising operational costs could have affected the efficient harvesting and transportation of cane during the 2026 crushing season.

FCCC Chief Executive Officer Senikavika Jiuta said the Commission's priority was to ensure the industry remained operational while protecting the interests of growers, operators and consumers.

"At a time when global events are driving fuel prices higher, it is important that we take practical measures to ensure critical industries such as sugar continue to function effectively," Ms Jiuta said.

Following an assessment of fuel cost impacts, FCCC approved temporary adjustments to mechanical harvesting and lorry cartage rates, allowing operators to recover only the additional costs directly linked to fuel increases.

The Commission emphasised that the adjustments are temporary measures designed to maintain service availability while Government subsidy arrangements help cushion the impact on cane growers.

Ms Jiuta said FCCC's analysis ensured that only necessary increases were approved, providing transparency, accountability and fairness throughout the process.

"The objective is simple — protect the viability of essential services while ensuring growers and consumers are not unfairly burdened."

FCCC has also confirmed that it will continue monitoring fuel markets and industry conditions through the Fuel Monitoring Taskforce to ensure compliance and prevent any misuse of the current situation.

The move is expected to provide certainty to harvesting operators, transport providers and cane growers as the industry navigates ongoing global fuel price volatility.

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