Sugar price increase sought

That spoon of sugar you put in your tea or coffee every morning could soon cost more.

The Sugar Industry stakeholders are seeking for an increase in the price of sugar sold locally.

The Sugar Cane Growers Council chief executive Surendra Sharma says following a meeting between the sugar industry stakeholders and the sugar minister last week, it has been agreed to seek PIB approval to marginally raise the price of sugar locally.

Sharma says this will put an additional three point five million dollars into the cane farmers pocket.

Meanwhile the Sugar Commission of Fiji chairman John May says there is a need for price increase for sugar sold locally which has been same for many years and which is now being sold below the cost of importing the sugar.

May says the stakeholders have already made a recommendation to the government for a price increase and waiting for response.

Asked by how many percent the price increase is being sought, May says he cannot comment on the actual increase until government makes a decision.