The Fiji Sugar Corporation spends $1 million a year to maintain 100 trucks bought three years ago to cart cane to the three sugar mills.
This high cost had compelled the company to sell all 100 trucks and harvesters before the start of the new season this year, Minister for Sugar Charan Jeath Singh said.
“The decision to purchase the trucks was a bad decision and it has cost FSC about $1m every year in maintenance of the trucks,” he said.
“The company purchased 100 trucks and this will all be sold with the first priority given to farmers.
“I believe that FSC should concentrate on the business of making sugar and not buying trucks. We leave that to the lorry operators and farmers.”
Mr Singh said each truck cost FSC $150,000 when it was purchased in 2019.
“So we will sell it to farmers at a very low price probably between $65,000 and $75,000 and they will be given first priority.
“Co-operatives can also buy the trucks and harvesters to help them during harvesting season,” Mr Singh said.
