The three sugar mills have to date crushed 934,301 tonnes of cane making around 91,400 tonnes of sugar.

The average tonnes cane to tonnes sugar or TCTS stands at 10.2.

The Fiji Sugar Corporation says the Lautoka Mill recorded the highest weekly crush over the last three years.

At Week 14, the mill has crushed 346, 235 tonnes of cane.

On the other hand Rarawai Mill’s progress continues to strengthen.

Rarawai Mill crushed 28, 819 tonnes of cane and produced 3, 099 tonnes of sugar, both above the weekly budget.

The week’s TCTS was 9.3.

In 2017 and 2018, Rarawai started to experience boiler related stops after Week nine of crushing.

However, this year, capital refurbishment to the mill’s boiler is seemingly paying off.

And the Labasa Mill had a moderate week.

At Week 14, Labasa has crushed 376,015tonnes of cane, resulting in 38,798 tonnes of sugar being made.

Looking at the past three-year comparison, the sugar make has been lower than 2017 and 2018 due to relatively lower cane quality.

The rate of operation on the other hand has significantly been better than the past two years.

Meanwhile the FSC is still concerned with the increasing levels of burnt cane being received.

Farmers are continuously being advised about the harmful effects of burning on the environment and on the sugar make and quality.