Sugar mills in Fiji

Sugar Mills in Fiji

The sugar industry in Fiji is a significant part of the country's economy, and the production of sugar is one of the main industries in the country. The sugar mills in Fiji are central to this industry, as they are the facilities where sugar cane is processed into raw sugar.

History

The first sugar mill in Fiji was established by Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR) in 1882. Over the years, several more mills were built to meet the growing demand for sugar. The industry experienced significant growth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with sugar becoming one of Fiji's main export commodities.

Operation

Sugar mills in Fiji are typically located in close proximity to sugar cane fields. The cane is harvested and transported to the mills, where it is crushed to extract the juice. The juice is then boiled and crystallized to produce raw sugar. The remaining material, known as bagasse, is used as a fuel source for the mill's operations.

Major Sugar Mills

There are currently four major sugar mills in Fiji:

• Lautoka Sugar Mill: Located in the city of Lautoka, it is the largest sugar mill in Fiji.

• Rarawai Sugar Mill: Situated in Ba, it is one of the oldest mills in the country.

• Labasa Sugar Mill: Located in Labasa, it is the only sugar mill in the northern part of Fiji.

• Penang Sugar Mill: Located in Rakiraki, it was closed in 2016 due to damage from Cyclone Winston.

Challenges and Future

The sugar industry in Fiji, including the sugar mills, faces several challenges. These include aging infrastructure, high production costs, and competition from other sugar-producing countries. Despite these challenges, the industry remains a vital part of Fiji's economy and efforts are being made to modernize the mills and improve efficiency.

See Also

• Economy of Fiji
• Agriculture in Fiji
• Colonial Sugar Refining Company