The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) has defended its role in the performance of the sugar industry, saying recent claims linking the sector’s challenges solely to the Corporation do not reflect the broader factors affecting cane production and sugar recovery.

In a statement, FSC acknowledged the financial difficulties facing cane growers and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring they receive fair returns, describing growers as the foundation of Fiji’s sugar industry.

The Corporation also accepted responsibility for improving its own operations and acknowledged the challenges experienced during the 2025 crushing season. However, it stressed that mill performance is only one of several factors influencing the Tonnes Cane to Tonnes Sugar (TCTS) ratio.

According to FSC, sugar recovery is also affected by cane quality, maturity, weather conditions, harvesting practices, cut-to-crush delays, varietal composition, ratoon age, burnt cane, extraneous matter and overall milling performance, requiring coordinated efforts across the entire production chain.

FSC said extensive maintenance and operational preparations have been completed ahead of the 2026 crushing season, with all three mills now ready to receive cane.

The Corporation also clarified that forecast cane prices are determined through the process outlined in the Master Award, involving representatives from both growers and FSC before certification by the Sugar Industry Tribunal, rather than being set by FSC alone.

It further noted that Government investment in the sugar industry extends beyond FSC’s operations, supporting growers, employees, contractors, transport operators, service providers, rural communities and Fiji’s export commitments.

As the 2026 crushing season gets underway, FSC has urged growers to begin harvesting without further delay, warning that prolonged delays could reduce cane quality, lower sugar recovery, increase harvesting and transport costs, worsen labour shortages and leave cane unharvested, with consequences for growers, the Corporation and the wider economy.