CHINESE experts have recommended having only one sugar mill in the West as a result of declining sugar cane production there.
Sugar Minister Charan Jeath Singh told farmers in Seaqaqa this week, the Chinese experts believed it’s better to run one good mill instead of two.
While no decision has been made on which mill would close, Mr Singh said Ba was being considered as the better location for a mill in the region.
“We are still waiting for their final report, but they are suggesting selling one mill and building a new one in Ba,” he said.
Mr Singh said the experts had visited Labasa and Rakiraki and were preparing a report.
“They have also invited officials to visit China to see their sugar mills.
“A team of six, including three from the FSC, myself and a local consultant are expected to visit China next week.”
Mr Singh said the Ba mill would be a new modern facility with a refinery and an ethanol plant.
“It will be a highly advanced mill,” he said.
He said the Penang Mill in Rakiraki was closed for $300,000 more than ten years ago by the FijiFirst government.
