Chinese engineers are currently assessing Fiji’s sugar mills, as announced by Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh. This visit is aimed at exploring ways to enhance existing mills and the possibility of establishing a third sugar mill in the country.
“We have a team of engineers from China who are inspecting the Labasa mill,” Minister Singh mentioned. The team has recently completed evaluations in Lautoka and will visit the old Rakiraki site later this week. Their main focus is on upgrading the mills and boosting sugar production, which has significantly decreased over the years. Singh noted that production has fallen from a high of 4.2 million tonnes to the current approximate level of 1.3 million tonnes.
The decline in sugar production has been attributed to several challenges, including labor shortages, the impacts of climate change, and issues such as saltwater intrusion affecting agricultural fields. Singh remarked, “Our teams are working towards addressing these problems.”
This initiative builds on earlier activities in Fiji’s sugar industry, such as the acquisition of a second-hand sugar mill from China intended for Rakiraki. At just four years old, this mill is expected to drastically reduce costs compared to the $250 million price tag of a brand-new mill. Together with potential upgrades to existing facilities, these developments aim to reduce Fiji’s reliance on imported refined sugar.
While the sugar industry faces significant obstacles, the collaboration with Chinese engineers and commitments to improve mill operations illustrate a proactive approach to revitalizing this essential sector for Fiji’s economy and local farmers. These efforts signal a hopeful direction towards stabilizing and increasing sugar production in the nation.
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