Shocking crush results at Penang

[posted 8 June 2010, 1300]

According to reports from sources at the Penang Mill following the start of the crush at that mill, cane farmers of Ra may be in for another shock this season

In our web story on June 3, we gave details of the disastrous start to the crush with the mill breaking down twice in the short span of 12 hours.

However, crush figures and sugar make to the end of the week, as reported by our sources at Penang, strongly indicate that cane farmers are more than likely to experience another shocking season with low revenues and escalating costs.

The mill is reported to have crushed 4429 tonnes of cane in the last six days, making only 200 tonnes of sugar – that gives a TCTS ratio of 22:1 ie 22 tonnes of cane to a tonne of sugar. The ratio is shockingly unsatisfactory, even after making adjustments to the factors relevant to the start of the crush.

Another mill stoppage occurred at 3am on 8 June due to mechanical failure. The stoppage lasted several hours resulting in disruptions to harvesting and transport schedules.