Strong crush momentum continues

Atotal of 452,327 tonnes of cane had been crushed by the three Fiji Sugar Corporation’s sugar mills which continue in full operation.

This compares to an equivalent tonnage of 380,288 tonnes crushed in 2019 – an increase of 20 per cent year on year.

Nationally, mill performance remains good, with operating time efficiency 15 per cent higher than last year and average weekly mill stoppages 48 per cent lower.

Sugar production of 37,799 tonnes to date is eight per cent above the equivalent period in 2019 (35,105 tonnes).

Sugar recoveries are improving, with tonnes cane to sugar ratio (TCTS) improving to 11.9 to date, compared to 12.4 recorded last week.

The first bulk sugar export for 2020 was completed on Friday, July 31. A total of 30,000 tonnes of sugar was shipped to the UK/EU market aboard the vessel M/V Port Alice, of which. 17,000 tonnes was loaded from Labasa and the balance of 13,000 tonnes loaded from the Lautoka bulk terminal.

A further four shipments to the EU/UK are planned for the balance of the year, together with one shipment in August 2020 to the USA.

This will total around 165,000 tonnes of bulk sugar for export in 2020.

Lautoka Mill

Lautoka Mill crushed a total of 28,537 tonnes of cane for the week, which was nine per cent lower than their budgeted target.

Mill throughput was affected by an issue with the boiler conveyors during the week. This also led to higher inside stoppages compared to the past week.

An improved performance is evident in the current week. A total of 2,555 tonnes of sugar was produced with a TCTS of 11.3 units for the week.

Cane quality is still a concern, which for the week was the lowest for the same period for the past three years.

The mill stopped on Sunday, August 2 to carry out scheduled maintenance & cleaning and resumed operation at 3am Monday morning. An increase in burnt cane to around 23.4 per cent in comparison to 6.9 per cent last week has been noted.

Rarawai Mill

Rarawai mill crushed a total of 32,724 tonnes of cane for the week. This is slightly more than the past week and 17.0 per cent more than their budgeted target.

The factory produced 2,995 tonnes of sugar, recording a TCTS ratio of 10.9 units for the week, which was better than last weeks’ performance. Inside stops were reduced to 5.2 hrs for the week.

This is lower than the previous week and also lower than the budgeted target for the week. Generally Rarawai mill throughput in the past two weeks has been much better than the same period in the past two years.

Cane quality is still a concern at 9.7 pure obtainable cane sugar (POCS) compared to a budgeted figure of 10. 8 for the week.

The factory took a schedule stop to do cleaning and normal maintenance work on Sunday, August 2. The mill resumed operation at 5:30 am on Monday morning.

The percentage of burnt cane is a concern increasing to 15.5 per cent from 8.4 per cent last week.

Labasa Mill

Labasa Mill crushed 31,309 tonnes of cane for the week, which was slightly lower than the budgeted target and also lower than the same period last year. Mill throughput was affected by a scheduled stop taken to address the #2 mill pressure feeder.

The factory picked up throughput from mid week and stopped on Sunday, August 2, for a scheduled maintenance and cleaning shut down. Sugar production for the week was 3,288 tonnes with a TCTS ratio of 9.5units.

POCS of raw material was slightly increased to 10.5 units this week, yet still lower than our weekly budgeted target of 12.0 units.

Though we are seeing a positive trend in cane quality it is still a concern that the quality received is lower than what we had anticipated for the season.

The Sunday scheduled stop was extended due to heavy rain that fell around the Labasa cane supply area. The percentage of burnt cane remained low but increased to 4.3 per cent for the week. Source: Fiji Sugar Corporation