$85 cane price not enough, says Pillay

Opposition MP Viam Pillay has criticized the 2026-2027 National Budget, asserting that it falls short of supporting sugarcane farmers. Pillay argued during the budget debate that the government-guaranteed price of $85 per tonne for cane is inadequate, failing to cover the true costs associated with production and transportation.

While Pillay acknowledged the government's provision of a fuel subsidy, he dismissed it as a temporary fix. He contended that this subsidy does not address the fundamental financial pressures faced by farmers, suggesting that more substantial and lasting support is required. The opposition MP's stance highlights a significant point of contention regarding the economic viability of sugarcane farming under the current government policies.

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the guaranteed $85 per tonne cane price does not cover the true cost of production and transport.

Pillay's critique underscores a perceived disconnect between the government's budgetary allocations and the on-the-ground realities for those in the sugarcane sector. The debate over the cane price and the effectiveness of subsidies points to ongoing challenges in ensuring the profitability and sustainability of this key agricultural industry.

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it is only a temporary measure that does not ease […]