Sugarcane farmers will continue to receive Government support as preparations for the 2026 crushing season gather pace, with new and ongoing assistance aimed at providing greater certainty for the industry.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry headquarters in Raiwaqa, Minister Tomasi Tunabuna reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the livelihoods of cane growers despite uncertainty caused by the delayed start of the crushing season.

To strengthen confidence among farmers, the Government has guaranteed a minimum cane price of $85 per tonne for the 2026 season.

The existing $5 million fuel assistance programme will also remain in place to help offset the rising costs of harvesting and transporting sugarcane.

The Minister announced an additional $3-per-tonne subsidy for sugarcane harvested manually, with the payment applying to all manually harvested cane except for crops harvested under inmate labour arrangements.

The measure recognises the ongoing role of manual harvesting within the industry.

Support for the sugar sector will also continue through a range of programmes in the new financial year, including subsidies for fertiliser and weedicide, funding to maintain and upgrade cane access roads, assistance for new growers, lease renewal support for existing farmers, and incentives for new planting and replanting of sugarcane.

Tunabuna encouraged all stakeholders to work together to help deliver a productive and successful 2026 crushing season.