New Fiji Sugar Corporation appointments

The move is also a commercial one in that it would be much cheaper shipping to these countries as compared to Europe or the United States because of freight costs

The Fiji Sugar Corporation has targeted China, Japan and Taiwan and our Pacific neighbours for sugar sales because of the higher prices they pay compared to Europe.

The move is also a commercial one in that it would be much cheaper shipping to these countries as compared to Europe or the United States because of freight costs. This was revealed by FSC chief executive officer Graham Clark following a board meeting at the company’s head office in Lautoka.

“In order to capitalise on Fiji’s geographic advantage, discussions are underway with potential new customers in China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea,” Mr Clark said. “These markets should all return higher pricing compared to Europe due to freight and quality premiums that are available in this region.”

The current position

Mr Clark said FSC was now entering its 17th week of crushing at Labasa whilst Lautoka and Rarawai had started a week later.

“So far this season, Labasa has crushed 478,326 tonnes of cane, Lautoka 367,432 tonnes and Rarawai 395,705 tonnes,” Mr Clark said.

“The three mills combined have therefore crushed 1,241,463 tonnes of cane. In total this is 17 per cent more than in the corresponding period last year.”

“Sugar manufactured to date totals 137,511 tonnes, which is 28,524 tonnes or 26 per cent more than in the same period in 2016. “Sugar recovery is much improved. Tonnes cane per tonne sugar (TCTS) to date being 9.03 compared to 9.7 in 2016.”

Mr Clark said the performance of the factories had been encouraging, with the Lautoka and Rarawai Mills in particular showing good improvement.

Mr Clark added the industry now has 44 mechanical cane harvesters in operation and these have provided a welcome boost to harvesting in all mill areas.

Remainder of the Season

Extremely dry weather since April 2017 has had a negative impact on cane yields. The period April to August 2017 has seen rainfall reduce to less than half the long term mean, and contrary to initial expectation of near normal rainfall, the dry weather across all areas of the cane belt is now expected to continue - at least until November 2017.

“The result will be a reduction in the total industry cane estimate for 2017, to just below 1.8 million tonnes, 13 per cent lower than preharvest estimates.” “Cane purities remain well above last year and this will hopefully see sugar production reach near 200,000 tonnes for the year. Sugar recoveries remain a major focus area in all three factories.” With the lower anticipated cane crop, the 2017 season was expected to be concluded by mid-November 2017.

Sugar sales

Total sugar sales had reached 93,096 tonnes by the end of August 2017.

Mr Clark said improved off-take in the local market has seen steady volume being supplied to customers in Fiji.

“Supply of bagged sugar to the Pacific Islands has resumed and sales to Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Christmas Islands and the Cook Islands have been secured to date. This remains a growth area for the Fiji sugar industry going forward.”

“Bulk shipments to Europe and the USA continue, with 3 shipments completed to the end of August 2017 and 2 further shipments planned for September 2017.” “The balance of the 2017 bulk shipping programme will be completed with 2 further shipments planned for 2017 crop sugar.” Molasses exports for 2017 are underway and the first bulk tanker will load molasses from Malau and Lautoka in September 2017. While supply to the Asian market continues, new molasses customers will also be serviced in the Caribbean market during 2017.

The European Union sugar production quotas will end on September 30, 2017.

Supplies of bulk raw sugar to European customers will now be conducted on commercial terms linked to the world raw sugar market. Mr Clark said in order to capitalise on Fiji’s geographic advantage, discussions are underway with potential new customers in China, Japan, Taiwan and Korea. “These markets should all return higher pricing compared to Europe due to freight and quality premiums that are available in this region.”