Government Approves Special Sugarcane Payment to Aid 2025 Season Preparations

The Fijian Government has approved a special sugarcane payment of FJ$7.65 million to support cane farmers as they prepare for the upcoming 2025 cane crushing season, following a Cabinet decision this week.

The payment, which will be disbursed without any deductions, is part of a targeted effort to ease the burden on farmers who have been affected by prolonged dry weather, increased production costs, labour shortages, and the lingering effects of climate-related disasters during the 2024 season.

The Ministry of Sugar Industry confirmed that the special payment of $5.00 per tonne will supplement the existing sugarcane payment structure under the Master Award, which delivers proceeds to farmers in five instalments throughout the crushing and post-harvest periods.

So far, three payments have been made to farmers for the 2024 crop season, totaling $69.63 per tonne, with the fourth and final payments scheduled for May and October 2025, respectively.

“This special payment ensures farmers have the necessary capital and labour resources to prepare their farms in time for the 2025 crushing season, which begins in early June,” a government statement said.

The initiative comes as the industry navigates ongoing recovery from climate events and seeks to maintain sugar as a viable economic driver, particularly in the Western and Northern divisions where many livelihoods depend on it.

The payment will be distributed to eligible farmers through the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC), with no deductions for loans, levies, or fees—ensuring the full amount goes directly to support farm operations.

Stakeholders in the sugar sector, including grower associations, have welcomed the move, saying it will help stabilise the industry and boost farmer morale ahead of what is expected to be another challenging season.