UK-bound sugar quota on track

The Fiji Sugar Corporation is on track to supply its first shipment of 30,000 tonnes of sugar bound for the United Kingdom this month.

Loading is expected to begin at the Labasa mill which, up until yesterday morning, had already stocked 6000 tonnes of sugar in its shed. The remaining stock would be sourced from the Lautoka mill where there was ample stock to meet the quota.

Crushing statistics

A total of 105,000 tonnes of sugar cane was crushed by the Labasa and Rarawai mills as of yesterday morning.

Fiji Sugar Corporation chief executive officer Graham Clark said with Labasa in its fourth week of crushing, and Rarawai mill into its second week, the figures tallied for the shipment.

Labasa mill crushed 72,000 tonnes of cane to date, averaging 5000 tonnes being crushed daily with Rarawai mill making up the balance.

Low record of stops

“What is pleasing is that the average hourly stops inside the mill has been very low, with good mechanical efficiency, and the only disruption coming from the rainy weather.”

Improvement

Rarawai mill was picking up on its crushing after starting the season two weeks ago, Mr Clark said, adding he was pleased with the operations.

The mill crushed cane from Lautoka farms that had hired farm labourers who had started harvesting.

“The cane is being transported by trucks and rail.

“We have been giving quotas to those cane farmers for the Lautoka mill area who have these hired harvesting gangs to go ahead and harvest.

“Rarawai mill produced just under 2000 tonnes of sugar to date.”