Commissioner Western Mesake Ledua says despite the challenges of 2021, the Fiji Sugar Corporation has managed to push through and begin crushing.

While opening crushing at the Lautoka mill on Wednesday, he said natural disasters and the ongoing impact of COVID-19 have had a lasting impact on the business and the sugar industry as a whole.

“Crop has significantly reduced due to the natural disasters and infrastructure damages were sustained in the two mills, Rarawai and Labasa due to flooding,” he said.

“Yet, FSC was resolute in their mission to commence crushing as planned and here we are.

“Lautoka mill this season has an objective to produce 50,212 tonnes of sugar from a proposed supply of 510,000 tons of cane over the next 18 weeks.

“The factory has invested on improving efficiencies with the purchase of two mill rollers, belts and pumps for the process and milling station.

“Primary focus has also been placed on OHS issues with major works carried out in the process and milling house.”

Mr Ledua said a new crushing season involved many processes which culminated in the production of sugar.

“The system involves complex processes involving manual and mechanical activities, logistics, chemical reactions and finally the storage of the product – whole process being interfaced through humans and machines.

“Major contributors to the sugar industry’s success therefore are canegrowers, harvesters, transporters and millers.

“To ensure that the crushing season operates well, all stakeholders must work in a synergised manner to have a 2021 successful season.”