FSC on track to meet sugar export quota, says Minister

The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) remains on track to meet its sugar export quota this season despite delays to the start of crushing, with any surplus sugar to be sold on the local market.

Minister for Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Tomasi Tunabuna gave the assurance following claims of sugar shortages at some supermarkets around the country.

Mr Tunabuna said there had been no major complaints lodged with the Ministry of Sugar about shortages and that imported sugar had been secured as a contingency against any future supply disruptions.

He said the FSC had sufficient sugar stocks to meet local demand, while imported sugar had been arranged as a backup should supplies tighten.

"FSC anticipated that delays to this season's harvest could affect sugar supply, so it made preparations to secure backup stocks," Mr Tunabuna said.

He said the decision to import sugar was a precautionary measure to address any potential shortages caused by delays to the harvesting season.

"It was triggered by the low supply of cane at the start of the crushing season," he said.

Mr Tunabuna said New Zealand was among the countries Fiji had explored as a source of imported sugar.

When asked about the cost of the imports, he said the FSC held the relevant figures and declined to comment further.

Mr Tunabuna said he remained optimistic the FSC would meet its export quota this season while ensuring any surplus sugar was made available on the local market.

Supermarkets in Labasa continue to report a consistent supply of sugar.