Fiji moves into refined sugar market

Fiji’s ailing sugar industry has prompted the Agriculture Ministry to look for markets where Fiji can sell refined white sugar.

The ministry is consulting its sugar officials in Brussels in a bid to secure markets for the export of refined white sugar.

Interim Primary Industries Minister Joketani Cokanasiga confirmed that he would hold discussions with key stakeholders on how the country can take advantage of the white sugar market.

“There is a big market for white sugar locally but what is important is the quality of white sugar and if the country is to refine brown sugar into white sugar then it must meet the stringent quality standards set by the world market,” he said.

Fiji was recently told by the United States government that Fiji had not been included in their sugar importation plan as USA rarely buys huge amounts of raw sugar and they had a market for refined sugar.

While new markets are being sourced and improvements being done to sugar mills to make production more effective, the Sugar Cane Growers Council has told farmers to brace for a drop in sugar prices.

Fiji has managed to secure a deal until 2015 with traditional buyers Tate and Lyle of London.

However, the deal depends on Fiji’s ability to meet targets by the deadline set by the English company.

source:fijilive