The Fiji Sugar Corporation has crushed 1.04 million tonnes of sugarcane at its three sugar mills as at the 30th of September and on an average, each mill was able to crush around 30,000 tonnes of cane per week, a feat last achieved some 10 years back.
FSC says whilst the COVID pandemic has been the mainstay news item for most of the year, the stakeholders in the sugar industry have gone ahead quietly with their business of cane harvesting and crushing despite the challenges.
It says the effects of COVID-19 delayed the start of the season following the late arrival of factory plant and equipment due to freight issues and port closures.
The mills also experienced a slow start to the season due to low cane supply initially.
However, FSC says the supply improved progressively with no major disruption experienced during the crushing season.
It says prior to the commencement of the crushing season, sugar cane crop in Vanua Levu were severely impacted due to TC Yasa, salt-water invasion and flooding.
This resulted in a decline in crop yields from the earlier forecast tonnage.
So far, FSC has paid $36.2 million as cane delivery payment for the cane harvested and supplied to the mills.
Crushing at the Labasa Mill will end by this Friday whilst the Lautoka and Rarawai mills are progressing with the crushing season.
FSC received three bulk sugar export vessels in September and was able to fulfill sugar shipment orders to UK and USA and molasses shipment to Jamaica and Trinidad.
