‘Kenya is on course to attain surplus production and commence regional exports by 2026’ – Ruto says on sugar production
By Francis Muli, January 20, 2025
President William Ruto has hailed Kenya’s current trend in sugar production, saying it will soon be sufficient to satisfy domestic demand.
Speaking during the launch of the issuance of bonuses for sugarcane farmers, Mumias, Kakamega County, Ruto said the country will produce enough sugar even for export by 2026.
“The historic issuance of bonuses to Mumias Sugar Company farmers not only validates the success of our reforms but also amplifies the sugar sector’s potential to uplift farmers and support thousands of livelihoods in our country,” Ruto stated.
“With a record 832,000 tonnes of sugar produced last year, Kenya is on course to attaining surplus production and commence regional exports by 2026 — turning sugarcane cultivation into a viable and rewarding venture.”
According to the US Department of Agriculture, Kenya’s sugar production is expected to increase 40 percent in marketing year 2024/25 to 750,000 metric tons due to an increase in area harvested after the expiration of a ban on sugarcane harvesting issued by Kenya’s Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA).
The department anticipates that sugar imports will decline 30 per cent to 455,000 tons during the year as increased domestic production accounts for more of Kenya’s sugar supply.
Kenya imports raw sugar from countries like India, Mauritius, Thailand, Egypt, and Uganda. In 2022, Kenya was the 36th largest importer of raw sugar in the world.
In September 2024, Kenya banned sugar imports from outside the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the East African Community (EAC), citing an increase in local production.