By SHEIK DEAN
A review is expected to be held this month to decide on the sugarcane harvesting season concluding dates.
The Sugar Industry Tribunal and Industrial commissioner Timothy Brown said dates will only be confirmed after liaising with relevant authorities.
“We are currently trying to collate data and analyse to better understand of the various factors which can stumble the dates,” he said.
“The tribunal will also be talking to farmers.”
Mr Brown said various factors are looked at before announcing the final date.
“One of the factors which determine final dates of concluding harvesting is the amount of matured sugar cane still left for crushing,’’ he said.
The dates however have already been confirmed of when the crushing would end at the four mills around the country.
q Lautoka Mill – October 13
q Labasa Mill – October 21
q Rarawai Mill – October 26
q Penang Mill – September 30
In an earlier interview, Fiji Sugar Corporation executive chairman Abdul Khan had revealed sugarcane supply at Lautoka mill had not met expectations.
FSC and relevant stakeholders are urging cane growers, cane cutters and lorry drivers to take advantage of the dry season and keep constant cane supply at mills.