The Fiji Sugar Corporation’s mill in Labasa is achieving better operational performance compared to the two mills located in Viti Levu, particularly regarding downtime issues. This was highlighted by Charan Jeath Singh, the Minister for the Sugar Industry, during his recent visit to Labasa.
So far this season, the Labasa Mill has processed 352,000 tonnes of sugarcane, with expectations to reach a total of 600,000 to 650,000 tonnes by the end of the season. As of now, the mill has completed two shipments of sugar and one shipment of molasses, with additional shipments planned before the year concludes.
Singh noted that the combined expected yield from all three mills this season is around $1.6 million. The sugar-to-cane ratio (TCTS) for the Labasa Mill stands at 8%, while the Lautoka and Ba Mills are operating at about 9% to 10%. Based on these ratios, the projected sugar production for the season is expected to be around 150,000 tonnes, potentially generating gross earnings of approximately $150 million for Fiji.
He also pointed out that the Ba and Lautoka mills have encountered operational challenges, such as boiler malfunctions, causing delays for drivers. Singh emphasized the importance of having a sufficient supply of cane to maintain efficient mill operations, explaining that closures may occur when there is an inadequate supply of cane, which can lead to increased operational costs.