$1billion Sugar deal intact - FSC CEO
Jul 3, 2008, 07:37

The Fiji Sugar Corporation has assured farmers and stakeholders that the $1billion sugar market is still intact.

In fact, FSC Acting Chief Executive Officer Deo Saran today said the supply contract with the buyers was “not under threat whatsoever”.

He has hit out at one of the dailies, The Fiji Times, for distorting facts and painting a negative picture of the industry at a time when the country, and the industry, needs support and cooperation to boost the economy.

Mr Saran, who was responding to a front-page report in The Fiji Times (01/06/08) that sensationalized difficulties faced by sugar industry during the current crushing season and how it could lead to Fiji losing the $1b sugar deal with the European Union, said the newspaper regularly engaged in this type of reporting where the sugar industry was concerned.

“…the media can play a pivotal role in creating a positive environment by putting across the right message to the public, it is extremely unfortunate that the Fiji Times has elected to do exactly the opposite,” he said.

And, he said he had specifically told the reporter that the delays caused “would have absolutely no impact on the sugar contract” but that the timing of the shipment will be affected.

Mr Saran said the report attempted to erode confidence of stakeholders in the sugar industry when what his intent was to inform growers that they must improve cane supply to ensure that that the Corporation met its deadline for the first shipment to the EU market.

“The mills are continuing to face cane supply shortages resulting in mill stoppages despite the fact the crushing is now into the third week.”

Mr Saran explained that while it takes mills one to two weeks to adjust, this year the stoppage has been largely due to lack of cane supply which has a detrimental effect on the mechanical performance of the mill.

He said it was imperative to have high and consistent supply of cane to optimize milling efficiencies.

Mr Saran reiterated his call to the growers and harvest gangs to work together in helping meet the deadline for the first shipment.



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