Minister Charan Jeath Singh Meets with Tate & Lyle at the margins of 65th ISO Council Meeting and 33rd ISO Seminar in London

The Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry Hon. Charan Jeath Singh is currently attending the 65th International Sugar Organization (ISO) Council Meeting and 33rd ISO Seminar titled “Sustainable Solutions for Sugar & Energy” held in London from 26th – 29th November 2024. At the margins of ISO Seminar, Hon. Singh met with few international companies to discuss and strengthen Fiji Sugar Corporation’s (FSC) relations in global market.

One of the meetings were held with Tate and Lyle, a subsidiary of the American Sugar Refinery (ASR) Group. The discussions with the Directors of Tate and Lyle focused on exploring global market sustainability, which is becoming prerequisite in international market.

The discussions carried a historical undertone, given that Tate & Lyle was Fiji’s largest importer of sugar during the prime days of preferential pricing agreements with European Union (EU).

Minister Singh acknowledged Tate & Lyle group’s fundamental role in Fiji’s sugar industry, especially Fiji’s benefits generated from guaranteed market price of sugar under the EU Sugar Protocol.

During the discussion, Minister Singh highlighted Fiji’s keen interest to reconnect and re-establish its tie with Tate & Lyle, provided the benefits of sugarcane farmers and its terms and conditions are aligned with sustainability goals.

“Tate & Lyle were once the largest importers of Fiji Sugar, back when the EU market guaranteed us favorable prices. The removal of preferential pricing was a blow, and our market share suffered as a result. But now is the time for Fiji to bounce back”, said Minister Singh. The Directors gave market insights and shared plans for resilience in a competitive global sugar industry.

While in London, Minister Singh had an opportunity to meet officials of the Fiji Rugby 15s team and commended on their performance during the Autumn Nations Tour.