The Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) is undertaking major infrastructure upgrades across its mills using its own resources, Minister for Sugar Tomasi Tunabuna told Parliament on Wednesday.
“Despite the challenges, FSC has undertaken a comprehensive programme of maintenance, targeted capital upgrades and operational improvement across the mills in Fiji, and this is also for 2026,” he said.
Mr Tunabuna clarified that the upgrades are not part of Government’s budget allocation.
“These initiatives are being fully financed and implemented by FSC, with its own resources, reflecting the Corporation’s commitment to strengthening the mills’ reliability and operational performances,” he added.
He revealed that the Lautoka Mill recorded the highest number of breakdowns during the 2025 crushing season, largely due to ageing infrastructure.
“These were primarily due to ageing boiler components, deteriorated carrier systems, and failures within the diffuser and processing stations,” Mr Tunabuna said.
In response, FSC has carried out extensive remedial works, including replacing critical boiler infrastructure, front walls, peephole tubes and air preheater tubes, along with major repairs to feeding and carrier systems.
Upgrades are also underway at the diffuser and processing stations to replace worn components, improve piping systems and enhance instrumentation.
At the Labasa Mill, improvements are being focused on the boiler, powerhouse and crushing stations as part of efforts to boost efficiency ahead of upcoming crushing seasons.
