Eighty-eighth annual review of the milling season in Southern Africa (2012-2013).

Performance, throughput and other relevant aspects of the sugar industries in southern Africa for the 2012/13 milling season are presented and discussed. Data from sugar mills in South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe are included. In South Africa, Umzimkulu Mill reopened after being closed for the entire 2011/12 crushing season, with the cane being diverted to Sezela Mill. The 2012/13 season in South Africa was better than the poor 2011/12 season in terms of tons cane harvested. Cane quality also improved from the previous season, with the exception of ash, which increased slightly. The Overall Time Efficiency improved, despite a higher Lost Time % Available, as a result of a marked decrease in no-cane stops. Recoveries improved from 2011/12, with the overall recovery moving off the lowest value recorded for more than ten years. Decreased losses to bagasse and molasses, as well as a constant Undetermined Loss, resulted in a higher Boiling House Recovery and Overall Recovery.