Cane farmers in Rakiraki have expressed concerns over the decision by the Fiji Sugar Corporation to close the Penang Sugar Mill and replace it with a new syrup mill.
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama held a consultation with the cane farmers in Rakiraki this week where the issue was discussed.
Farmers claim the closing down of the Penang Mill will affect many livelihoods as there will be more unemployment in Rakiraki.
However, FSC executive chair Abdul Khan who was also present at the meeting says they will stand by their decision.
Khan explains producing sugar at this Mill is becoming costly for FSC now.
He says the other reason is that tonnes of cane per tonnes of sugar of the TCTS ratio has also increased.
The average TCTS at Penang Mill stood at 8.3 during the last crushing season.
Khan says the best option is to extract juice at Penang and process it either at the Lautoka or Rarawai Sugar Mill.
