Less Than 20 per cent to be Crushed
Just over 80 per cent of the forecasted total sugar cane crop for 2017 has been crushed to date.
The Fiji Sugar Corporation’s Head of Strategic Communications, Elenoa Korovulavula said Lautoka has crushed 90 per cent of its expected crop, Rarawai Mill in Ba 80 per cent and the Labasa Mill 74 per cent.
Of the present harvested crop being brought into the three mills, 32.4 percent of it is burnt cane, with Lautoka Mill receiving 45.2 per cent, Rarawai 37.9 per cent and Labasa 14.1 per cent.
“The mills’ turnaround time for the burnt cane is approximately 16 – 20hrs so it has had a minimal impact on sugar quality.
“As is custom, we are now into approaching the end of the crushing season and with the supply slowing down, we are tracking at 3500 – 4000 tonnes per week,” Ms Korovulavula said.
She said the mills have not had any major breakdowns lately.
Penang Mill in Rakiraki closed and FSC is paying transportation tonnes of sugar has been produced compared to 122,045 tonnes for the same period last year.
Lautoka Mill has so far crushed 418,597 tonnes of cane producing 48,979 tonnes of sugar and a low TCTS (Tonne of Cane per Tonne of Sugar) of 8.5.
Rarawai has crushed 447616, tonnes of cane producing 49,753 tonnes of sugar and a TCTS of 9.0 while Labasa has crushed 543 481 tonnes of cane producing 58521 tonnes of sugar and a TCTS of 9.3.