Fiji’s sugar industry has seen a major shift in transport methods, with over 90% of sugar cane now delivered to mills via road, Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh revealed in Parliament yesterday. He highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance critical cane access routes.
Singh explained that the increased reliance on trucks is largely due to the growing use of mechanical harvesters and the gradual reduction of rail services, creating new demands on rural infrastructure.
“More than 90% of cane today reaches the mills by road,” Singh noted. “As mechanical harvesting becomes more widespread and rail usage declines, it is essential to upgrade both in-field roads and supporting rural infrastructure.”
The Minister emphasized that effective transport is vital not only to maintain cane quality but also to prevent delays and ensure mills can process crops on schedule.
According to Singh, the government has invested $43 million from 2012 through the 2024–2025 season to improve and maintain cane access roads. For the 2025–2026 financial year, funding has risen to $3.9 million to further strengthen maintenance efforts.
“These ongoing improvements are key to facilitating smoother movement for trucks and machinery,” Singh said.
Over the past two years, a total of 35 crossings have been repaired, upgraded, or newly constructed across the Lautoka, Rarawai, and Labasa mill regions. In addition, 1,351 growers have benefited from government-funded culverts that replace unsafe, low-cost crossings, improving access to their farms.
While the majority of growers now use trucks, Singh acknowledged that some still rely on the railway, particularly in areas facing labor shortages where manual harvesting remains challenging.
He concluded by reaffirming the government’s dedication to upgrading logistics throughout the sector, supporting growers, and ensuring sugar cane reaches mills efficiently and on time.
