The Sugar Industry Tribunal has announced that the Lautoka mill of the Fiji Sugar Corporation will halt sugarcane crushing on Monday, October 7, marking the end of the 2024 season. Tribunal member Semi Leweniqila issued this directive after discussions with the CEOs of the Sugar Cane Growers Council and the Fiji Sugar Corporation.
Mr. Leweniqila urged all sugarcane growers and harvesting teams in the Lautoka mill region to make every effort to collect and deliver their sugarcane to the mill by Sunday, October 6. The Lautoka mill commenced its crushing operations on June 5 earlier this year.
No reasons were given for the early cessation of crushing, which is notably earlier than last year’s closure on November 19.