All sugar mills shut over the long week-end

[posted 11 October 2010, 1530]

All four sugar mills remained shut over the long week-end due either to mechanical failures and/or poor cane supply as a result of heavy rain which enveloped the whole of the main island of Viti Levu from Thursday 6th October through to Monday 10th October.

The Labasa Mill, however, was out because of processing problems. Rain did not affect Vanua Levu until Monday. The mill has not been crushing since last Wednesday, October 5th, and was still out this morning.

The other three mills were also not operational this morning because of poor cane supply.

A total of 63,310 tonnes of cane was crushed during the week ending 10 October. this brings the season to date total to 1.34 million tonnes. Reportedly, the TCTS ratio has not improved. FSC does not release the sugar production figures - not even to the growers!

Meanwhile, (private) shareholders of FSC are anxiously awaiting its 2010 Annual Report to see whether there has been any improvement in the Corporation's financial performance. It is widely believed that 2010 was yet another disastrous year for FSC.

S Lal