Labour Calls for Urgent All-Inclusive Consultation to Revive Sugar Industry

The Fiji Labour Party (FLP) is calling for an all-inclusive consultation to address the worsening state of Fiji’s sugar industry, which it claims has nearly collapsed under the Rabuka-led coalition government.

The party’s National Council highlighted that the sugar industry saw a major decline in 2024, with cane production dropping by 300,000 tonnes and sugar output falling to 139,000 tonnes—insufficient to meet the Fiji Sugar Corporation’s (FSC) export commitments.

Chronic milling issues, high land lease renewal costs, and annual rents continue to burden farmers, while the FSC remains financially unstable despite heavy government support.

The FLP criticized the Sugar Ministry for ignoring calls by the National Farmers Union (NFU) to bring together farmers, landowners, and mill workers for discussions on reviving the industry.

Labour Leader Mahendra Chaudhry also rejected a recommendation by Chinese consultants to close the Lautoka sugar mill, arguing that it overlooks the impact on farmers and transportation logistics.

The party is urging Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to prioritize the industry’s future by facilitating a comprehensive stakeholder consultation to find sustainable solutions.