World Class Distribution Centre In Lautoka For Sugar
Lautoka will be transformed into a world class sugar distribution centre for the international market.
Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) chief executive officer, Graham Clark, said the FSC board has agreed in principle to turn Lautoka in a world class sugar distribution centre.
“As we are competing with other players in the market, the quality demands are increasing,” Mr Clark said.
“We have started work here, especially with the port facilities to make sure the sugar we produce is handled in a safe, health conscious quality way.”
Mr Clark said this was being done so that Fiji could export the best quality sugar to the world.
He said the facilities would be built within the next two years and they would be world class food grade standard centre.
“We look forward to commissioning this cenre in two years’ time and would be something everyone could be proud of.”
Meanwhile, Mr Clark said a new contract has been signed which would see the first shipment of 34,000 tonnes to China in September and to be followed by two more shipment later.
He said opportunities in Japan Korea and the Pacific Islands were also opening and FSC was continuing with negotiations.
“Responding to demands for us to turn things around, 2017 was a significant year.”
He said Lautoka Mill’s crushing rate of 8.4 Tonnes of Cane Tonnes of Sugar (TCTS) in 2017 was a marked improvement as compared to an average of 9.1 for the Rarawai and Labasa Mills.
He said last year also saw the mill efficiency improve tremendously with supply being slow, because the mill was pulling through lorries and rail trucks quicker.
Mr Clark said they expected a better crop this year and an improvement to the supply of cane.
