To date, a total of 841,000 tonnes of cane has collectively been crushed by the three mills.

In a statement, the Fiji Sugar Corporation says despite the recent rains, crushing momentum remains upbeat and progressive.

It says both Lautoka and Labasa Mills have crossed the 300,000 tonnes mark, of cane crushed after 13 Weeks of crushing, whilst Rarawai is approaching 200,000 tonnes crushed after 9 weeks of crushing.

Meanwhile, the corporations highlighted that burnt cane for the week stood at 50.1% for Lautoka Mill areas, 39.3% for Rarawai and Penang Mill areas and 3.7% for Labasa Mill area.

FSC continues to reiterate the dangers of burning, not only centered around environmental concerns but also its impact on the quality of the sugar.

As a result of burnt cane, a substance called dextran develops which reduces the quality of sugar cane through bacterial activity and has a negative impact on sugar quality.

FSC has stressed that cane fires and the burning of cane must be discouraged at all costs.