Labasa Mill records best TCTS: Tunabuna

The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) Labasa Mill has set the benchmark for other mills in the country by achiev­ing the most productive tonnes of cane to tonnes of sugar (TCTS) of 9.1: 1.

Minister for Sugar, Tomasi Tunabuna revealed this in Parlia­ment this week which meant 9.1 tonnes of cane supplied to the mill produced one tonne of raw sugar.

This led to the improvement of TCTS from 11:1 last year to 9.1:1 in 2026, while FSC Lautoka Mill achieved a TCTS of 11.4: l; the Rarawai mill crushed at a ratio of 11.3: 1.

Weekly inside stops increased to 6.3 from 5.1 last year while week­ly outside stops improved to 38.3 tonnes from 42. 7 in 2025.

A sugarcane farmer from Bucei­sau sector in Labasa, Feroz Ali, said while per tonnage prices of cane failed to meet their expecta­tions, farmers continued supply­ing cane for their livelihood.

Mr Ali said for a reasonable num­ber of farmers, sugarcane was their sole income, and they had to supply to ensure financial flow.

While he commended the TCTS improvement, he believed there remained room for improvement.

Another farmer, Yogendra Ram, shared similar sentiments that farmers had no options, but trans­port cane for some income.

Mr Ram said a good number of farmers chose to keep their land leases alive and continued to har­vest and supply cane to pay premi­um and cater for basic household expenses.

"Despite all struggle farmers faced, persistence to supply am­ple cane helped Labasa mill thrive with sugar production".

Mr Tunabuna said he had em­phasised for approved varieties of cane to be supplied because it ensured a good productivity of sugar.

Unapproved varieties continued to be discouraged alongside burnt cane supply to all mills around the country.

The greener cane and ap­proved varieties sent to the mill also ensured a good TCTS.