The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) has acknowledged a significant decline in cane sweetness, which has reached an all-time low this season. Managing Director Jonetani Galuinadi revealed that cane purity at the Lautoka mill was recorded at only 7.4 percent, while the Labasa mill fared slightly better at 8.1 percent for the week ending October 7, 2024.

Despite favorable weather conditions in the Lautoka and Labasa areas, the mills experienced substantial stoppages in cane supply during the week, primarily due to long weekend celebrations. The Lautoka mill was halted for 13 hours, and the Labasa mill experienced a more extensive shutdown of over 36 hours. Galuinadi emphasized the necessity to maximize cane supply to the mills, especially as the crushing season is nearing its end, which is in the best interest of farmers to minimize standover cane on their fields.

The Labasa mill recently dealt with a significant breakdown of its cane shredder, prompting the installation of a bypass chute to allow operations to continue while repairs were carried out. This unit is expected to resume normal operations shortly.

The low quality of the cane being processed has resulted in reduced rates of crystallization and a decline in the production of sugar. High tonnes of cane are now required for the production of a single tonne of sugar. For the week ending October 7, both mills crushed a total of 68,953 tonnes of cane, resulting in the production of 4,854 tonnes of sugar at a TCTS (tonnes cane to tonnes sugar) ratio of 13.8.

The situation reflects broader challenges faced by the industry this season, particularly with regards to burnt cane affecting overall production quality. With over 80 percent of sugar cane supplied to the Labasa mill being classified as burnt cane, the mill manager Leela Ramesh has echoed concerns about its impact on sugar quality. While the Labasa mill continues to perform better than its counterparts in Viti Levu, the ongoing challenges, including adverse weather conditions and infrastructure inadequacies, pose significant hurdles.

Looking ahead, there remains hope for improvement as the Minister for Sugar and Multi-Ethnic Affairs, Charan Jeath Singh, urges farmers to increase the supply of green cane, which is vital to enhancing production. The Labasa mill’s TCTS ratio has improved to 1:9.65 this season, suggesting a potential path toward recovery as efforts are geared towards increasing productivity in the future.

This season, while filled with difficulties, presents opportunities for growth and learning within the FSC as it navigates through these challenging times. The resilience of farmers and the ongoing support from the government may pave the way for enhanced performance and sustainability in Fiji’s sugar industry.