Sugar industry welcomes $5 million fuel subsidy

The Sugar Cane Growers Fund (SCGF) has expressed its gratitude for the government's recent announcement of a $5 million fuel subsidy aimed at supporting the sugar industry. SCGF's Chief Executive Officer, Raj Sharma, lauded the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry, and the Ministry of Finance for their responsiveness to the concerns of growers and industry participants.

Sharma acknowledged the challenging period faced by stakeholders and the government as they collaborated to find practical solutions. He highlighted the government's ongoing commitment to the sugar sector, noting that despite fiscal limitations, it has maintained a guaranteed cane price of $85 per tonne. This support is particularly significant given the current global sugar prices, which have fallen by nearly half, while fuel and operating costs remain high.

The SCGF CEO pointed out that consultations with growers across the cane belt areas consistently revealed two primary requests: the assurance of the guaranteed cane price and assistance with escalating fuel costs impacting harvesting and transportation. Sharma urged over 4,000 growers to prepare for the ongoing harvesting season.

“

Government has its own fiscal constraints, yet it has once again demonstrated its commitment to the sugar industry. SCGF has also stepped in where possible to provide interim financial support, directly or indirectly, to growers or the industry during this difficult harvesting period.