Crushing is progressing well and within budget – FSC

Fiji Sugar Corporation has crushed 731,880 tonnes of sugarcane to produce 69,478 tonnes of sugar in the 11 weeks of the season and two sugar cargoes have left our shores this season with another sugar cargo and molasses tanker scheduled in the next 3 weeks.

FSC says the crushing is progressing well and is within the budget.

They say the factory results achieved to-date are far better as compared to the last four 4 years.

FSC adds all 3 mills are now performing optimally with significantly reduced inside stops and despite the current challenges faced, the mills are faring exceptionally well.

The Labasa Mill has crushed 296,897 tonnes of cane until Monday.

FSC says cane supply was constrained in the last few weeks due to unfavorable weather patterns in all districts supplying cane to the mill.

They say rain related stops due to poor harvesting equated to 90% of the total factory stops.

FSC says cane supply needs to be revamped to 40,000 plus tonnes per week to ensure the crushing length remains within budget.

The Lautoka Mill has crushed 234,110 until Monday tonnes of cane.

FSC says with a design capacity to comfortably crush 5,500 tonnes cane per day, the harvesting strength needs to be improved for the mill to fully realize its milling efficiencies.

The Rarawai Mill has crushed 200,872 tonnes of cane.