DESPITE a late start to harvesting and crushing this season, the first shipment of raw sugar destined for Tate and Lyle in the UK is expected to leave on schedule next month.
This was confirmed by the Fiji Sugar Corporation's executive chairman Abdul Khan yesterday.
Mr Khan said the ship was due at Labasa yesterday and would proceed to Lautoka thereafter to load sweetener.
"The first ship is expected this afternoon (yesterday) into Labasa," Mr Khan said.
"After which the vessel will sail to Lautoka. After completing the loading at Lautoka, the ship is expected to leave around September 6. The expected sugar load will be 33,000 tonnes," he said.
Meanwhile, Mr Khan urged growers to harvest and transport their crop to the mills as quickly and consistently as possible to minimise stoppages.