THE FUSE

Sugar milling operations have resumed in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga after a wage dispute brought parts of the industry to a standstill for almost four weeks. The disruption came during the peak milling season, creating serious challenges for sugarcane growers who depend on functioning mills to process harvested cane. With mills unable to operate normally, growers in affected areas were left without reliable outlets for cane that needed to be delivered after harvesting. The resolution of the dispute has therefore brought relief to an industry where timing between harvesting and milling is critical. The return to normal operations is particularly important for growers who had already been dealing with several pressures affecting sugar production and market conditions.