24 Feb 2016

Fiji sugar industry counting huge cost of Winston

3:17 pm on 24 February 2016

Preliminary estimates by the Fiji Sugar Corporation have set the damage caused by cyclone Winston to sugar cane crops in the country at US $38.6 million.

The president of the Lautoka Cane Producers Association said they have lost up to 80 percent of this year's crop.

Parbindra Singh said he expects this figure will rise because many areas have yet to be assessed.

Mr Singh said in some parts of west Viti Levu farmers have lost their entire crop.

"Basically there will be no crop in Penang and Ra association, that is the Raki Raki association but as far as the Lautoka mill is concerned we might have thirty percent of cane, maximum."

Lautoka suburbs of Fiji after Cyclone Winston.

Lautoka suburbs of Fiji after Cyclone Winston. Photo: RNZI / Alex Perrottet