Sugar production fall by 19.4%

Fiji's sugar production fell by 19.4 percent and cane production dropped by 3.3 percent over the 2009 period compared to 2008.

This has been revealed in the Reserve Bank of Fiji Economic Review for February which states that a total of 2.2 million tonnes of cane were crushed to produce 167 thousand 664 tonnes of sugar in 2009.

The Review stated that the significant fall in sugar output is due to low cane supply to the mills as well as problems faced by the upgraded mills in the earlier months of the season.

The Total Cane-to-Sugar ratio for the 2009 season was 13 to 4 compared to the ratio of 11 to 2 for 2008.

Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama had stated to farmers and landowners in the Western division last month that the government wants cane production to increase by 100 thousand tonnes to boost sugar production and the economy as a whole.

Meanwhile the Reserve Bank said a positive outlook is expected for the tourism industry in 2010, based on improvements in visitor numbers in the latter half of 2009 and supported by the introduction of new airlines and routes, discounted package deals, active promotions, campaigns and advertising by Tourism Fiji.

There is also hope in the mining sector as gold output gained momentum in 2009.

Recent data from the Vatukoula Gold Mines Limited showed that a total of 35,062 ounces was produced in 2009, a yearly growth of 59.4 percent.

The RBF said investment in new capital machinery and equipment by Vatukoula Gold Mines Limited and the venture into surface mining have contributed largely to the growth.