The Fiji Sugar Corporation registered significant improvements in their manufacturing results compared to last year, notably at the Lautoka and Rarawai sugar mills.
FSC Board chairman Vishnu Mohan says all key indicators showed improvements as more cane was crushed, mill breakdowns were reduced, waiting times at the mills were lower, cane dumping has ceased and mill stoppages have largely become a non‑issue.
Mohan says Lautoka recorded a 32% reduction in mill breakdowns while Rarawai achieved a 37% reduction and performance at Labasa was however not as settled as last season.
Mohan says a full independent factory technical review has been completed for all factories, and works on upgrading factory facilities are underway.
He adds this will include major refurbishment of the Lautoka diffuser, boilers and power station, new sugar processing equipment for Rarawai, and upgrading of the shredder and milling equipment at Labasa adding further improvements in factory performance are expected next season following this work.
Meanwhile, FSC CEO, Graham Clark says total cane crushed for Lautoka increased by 24% in comparison to last year and sugar produced increased by 47%.
He says for Rarawai total cane crushed increased by 48% while sugar production increased by 104%.
He adds the total cane crushed at the Labasa mill increased by 3%.
