Low cane yields drive up FSC operating costs

The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) recorded its lowest-ever cane production in the last crushing season, a situation Chief Executive Bhan Pratap Singh attributed to a prolonged dry spell affecting cane belt areas. Last year, FSC processed over 1.33 million tonnes of cane, yielding 126,500 tonnes of sugar, with an average of 46.4 tonnes per hectare.

This decline contrasts with the previous year's production of 1.57 million tonnes of cane and 139,628 tonnes of sugar. Singh highlighted that FSC continues to grapple with aging plant and equipment, a general decrease in cane production, and the unpredictable nature of market volatility.

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major reason for the low yield was the prolonged dry spell that affected cane belt areas in 2025.

All of FSC's sugar is now sold on the open market, a shift from the previous arrangement under the EU protocol. Singh stated that the low and declining production levels have significantly driven up operating costs and resulted in the underutilization of the company's plant and machinery.

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low and declining production has led to very high operating costs and the underutilization of plant and machinery.