SUGARCANE growers in the country will have another reason to smile next week after the Sugar Industry Tribunal announced the third cane payment for the 2012 season yesterday.
Registrar of the tribunal and industrial commissioner Tim Brown revealed the payment at $11.50 per tonne will be made on Wednesday March 27.
The total payout was derived from the actual payment of $6.52 per tonne and an additional payment of $4.98 per tonne from proceeds yet to be received.
According to the SIT, agreement reached between the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the Sugar Cane Growers Council has allowed for advances to be deducted from the fourth cane payment, which is scheduled for the end of May. "By agreement between the FSC and SCGC, the special cane payment of $4 per tonne paid out in January 2013 and the advance of $4.98 per tonne on proceeds that are yet to be received in this payment be deducted from the fourth cane payment in May 2013," Mr Brown said.
SCGC acting chief executive officer Sundresh Chetty welcomed the announcement and the timely payment.