La Réunion sugarcane sector grapples with labor shortage and processing halts

Farmers in La Réunion are exploring the recruitment of foreign agricultural workers to address a chronic labour shortage in the island's sugarcane fields. The proposal, coordinated with state services and France Travail, aims to bring workers from the southern Indian Ocean region.

In parallel, the Young Farmers of Réunion have protested against the sugarcane processor Tereos, condemning repeated stoppages in cane reception at the Bois‑Rouge plant. The union argues that the interruptions, which they say are caused by industrial issues rather than cane quality, have left growers with disorganized harvests, idle equipment and added costs. They demand that Tereos resume regular intake of harvested cane.

Other local initiatives include a pilot program using detection dogs to locate hidden leaks in the potable‑water network at Étang‑Salé, and a government‑backed “global” plan to support farmers facing extreme heat, drought and fire risk.