The Fiji Sugar Corporation’s sugar mill in Labasa is reporting improved performance compared to the two mills located in Viti Levu, particularly regarding operational efficiency and reduced mill downtime. This information was shared by Charan Jeath Singh, the Minister for the Sugar Industry, during his recent visit to the Labasa facility.
According to Minister Singh, the Labasa Mill has processed 352,000 tonnes of sugar cane this season, with an expectation to reach a total of 600,000 to 650,000 tonnes. To date, the mill has completed two shipments of sugar and one shipment of molasses, with plans for another sugar shipment and one more molasses shipment before the year concludes.
He noted that the collective cane crushing from all three mills is anticipated to be around $1.6 million this season. Currently, the sugar yield from cane at the Labasa Mill stands at eight percent, while the Lautoka and Ba Mills report yields of nine to ten percent. Based on these figures, it is estimated that Fiji could produce roughly 150,000 tonnes of sugar, equating to approximately $150 million in gross sales revenue.
Singh highlighted some challenges faced by the Ba and Lautoka mills, such as boiler operational issues and delays for drivers. He also emphasized that insufficient cane supply can lead to mill closures, which could be misunderstood by the public. Maintaining an adequate cane supply is crucial for effective mill operation to avoid unnecessary costs.