United Kingdom, European Union Looks To Fiji ‘Again’ For Sugar

Higher premiums are being offered for Fiji’s sugar from traditional markets in the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States.
This followed the sales and marketing efforts carried out by the Fiji Sugar Corporation and the good news has come at a time when the world sugar price is not good.
The demand for Fiji’s sugar from the UK and EU markets comes after receiving a 30 percent drop in supplies from other suppliers.
Fiji Sugar Corporation chief executive officer, Graham Clark said it was pleasing to note that the company’s sales and marketing efforts this year were well advanced.
He said FSC was expected to produce around 180,000 tonnes of sugar this season and has already contracted 140,000 tonnes of sugar for 2019.
“We have started to receive resuscitated interest with higher premiums from our traditional markets namely, the European Union, United Kingdom and the United States of America, which is fantastic news for FSC.
” Already 20,000 tonnes of sugar has so far been earmarked for global Fairtrade accreditation.
“The first shipment is expected to depart in late July this year.”
Proceeds from sugar sold under Fair Trade is directed to the cane farmers and Mr Clark said this was expected to be around USD$1.2 million.
“Further sales will be made as production forecasts materialise.
“There has been an encouraging response to new packaging for 1kg, 2kg and 4kg – sugar distributed within the local market.
“Our local sales in this category are up by 17 per cent from the same period to last year.
“FSC has also seen a return of demand from the Pacific Islands and new orders are being processed.
“In July, we will launch our retail packs in the New Zealand market”, Clark adds further.
“Hopefully this will further increase exports to these markets in 2019,” Mr Clark said.
Feedback: charles.chambers@fijisun.com.fj