Hanoi (VNA), Feb. 18 -- Development chances for the sugar industry are still ahead if it can re-organise itself more effectively, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a meeting seeking ways to tackle difficulties facing the sector on February 18.

At the meeting of the Government's permanent members in Hanoi, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development reported that the sugar and sugarcane industry are suffering numerous difficulties.

In the 2018-2019 crop, 17 of the 38 firms faced the risk of losing equity. Prices of sugarcane material declined by 100,000 - 200,000 VND per tonnes to 700,000 - 800,000 VND per tonne, equivalent to production costs. Meanwhile, seven sugar mills have suspended operations, and only four or five fact...