Sugar has contributed largely to the country’s economic, political and social development.

The sugar industry of Fiji has been of large importance to Fiji, since the mid-late 1800s. Sugar has contributed largely to the country’s economic, political and social development. The industry introduced foreign Indian labour into Fiji, working in sugar mills and plantations. Currently, the largest local and main sugar processing mill in operation can be found in Lautoka, followed by Ba.

There are approximately 28,000 people working directly in the industry, including producers, processors and packers for exports. The producers of sugar are mainly farmers of sugar cane, whom are predominantly Indo-Fijians, that are above 50 years old. Cane farms are often on crown or freehold land. In total, 19 varieties are being farmed across approximately 37,000 ha of sugarcane, with the Mana variety being the most common (60-68% of cane crops). This means that sugar mills are highly vulnerable to the spread of pests and diseases. As a key industry, government subsidies and preferential agreements have also been pumped into sugar farming. Annually, Fiji produces 4.3 tonne per ha of sugar with a substantial amount exported to the neighbouring small island countries.

In 2016, Cyclone Winston heavily damaged Fiji and inherently impacted the sugar industry. The Rakiraki mill was badly damaged and has been out of operation. The crops, road access and other mill infrastructure in the northern areas of Vitu Levu were also destroyed. As such, mills are largely vulnerable to cyclone. Following Winston large scale destruction was observed, the demand for labour in the tourism and construction industries increased. As a result, labour shifted away from the sugar industry. Due to this manpower shortage, the sugar industry is beginning to shift from manual production and processing methods to a more mechanical one. In analysing the lack of crop variety and the industry’s vulnerability to pest, diseases and cyclones, it is evident that research into sugar cane is essential for the future of the industry.