By SHEIK DEAN
Fiji’s largest sugar mill, Lautoka, which was on a temporary shutdown for repair works, has started crushing.
Crushing began late on Friday night.
This means good news for farmers, cane cutters and lorry drivers and has certainly eased off the pressure for getting their canes to mills before the rainy weather prevails.
The Industrial Commissioner Sugar Industry Tribunal, Tim Brown said the Lautoka Mill is now in full operation.
“Because of the damage at the Lautoka Mill, harvested sugar cane had to be diverted to Rarawai Mill,” he said.
Mr Brown said the Tribunal is urging all the associated authorities in delivering fresh sugar cane should take full advantage of crushing before rain pours in.
“For now, the weather is fine which means more cane can be delivered to mills and more sugar can be produced,” he said.
Dates yet to be finalised
Because of the temporary closure of the Lautoka Mill, Mr Brown said the dates to end the crushing have not been confirmed yet.
“Mill concluding dates will only be determined looking at two main factors which are the balance of crop for crushing and mill crushing dates,’’ Mr Brown said.
Cane cutters harvesting sugar cane in Nadi Back Road. Every effort is poured in to keep constant supply of fresh harvested cane to the mills. Photo SHEIK DEAN