Fiji Sugar is still preferred around the world, said c (FSC) chief executive officer Graham Clark.

During the FSC talanoa session with farmers at Ellington Primary School, Rakiraki he said: “Everywhere I go in the world, people talk about Fiji sugar because for many years it had a very good reputation.

“People like Fiji sugar because they like the colour and the taste. This is a very good thing for us.

“We make more sugar, right quality, people like it, and we can sell it.

“So the next step after fixing the sugarcane mills, is producing the right quality of sugar.

“I have heard people crying because the price of sugar from Europe has increased.

“We now compete with Australia, Thailand and Indonesia. China is a big producer now and they sell at very low cost,” he said.

Mr Clark said we are ahead of our Pacific Island neighbours.

Mr Clark believes that even though the world price fluctuates, Fiji is capable of staying on top of the major sugar exporters’ list.

“And because of that  I believe we can deliver at a better price,” he said.

ISSUES RAISED AT THE TALANOA SESSION:

Sugarcane farmers raised concerns about the land issue stating that they are required to pay a large sum of rent. It was discovered that some farmers now pay $1000 which is triple the amount that they used to pay.

Farmers had also requested that FSC repair the road in the area as they face difficulty in transporting their harvested sugar cane to the mill.  FSC assured them that the matter will be dealt with quickly.

EDITED  BY: MONICA AGUILAR

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