THE country’s four sugar mills have logged stoppages totalling 868 hours from the start of the crushing season in June to August 17 this year.

Prime Minister and Minister for Sugar Voreqe Bainimarama revealed in Parliament yesterday that the stoppages were caused by breakdowns because of mechanical problems.

Mr Bainimarama was responding to questions posed by Opposition MP Professor Biman Prasad who requested figures on the performance of each mill.

The Prime Minister said a number of factors had affected crushing rates.

“These include cane supply, the stopping and starting of the mills for various reasons and problems with ageing machinery,” he said.

“The Fiji Sugar Corporation accepts that any stoppages are undesirable and we are working with our stakeholders in the industry to minimise these disruptions whether they have to do with harvesting, transporting or the processing of sugar cane.”

He said any delays caused by mechanical breakdowns were made up by extending the period of the cane crushing season.