Kenya Opens Special Sugar Import Window to Address Severe 400,000-Tonne Deficit

Kisumu, Kenya – The government has announced a temporary window for the importation of raw sugar to cushion industries and consumers against one of the country’s worst sugar deficits in recent years. Speaking at Kibos and Allied Industries in Kisumu, Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said Kenya faces a shortfall of about 400,000 metric tonnes, which has left many factories idle and disrupted supply chains.

Immediate Relief for Industries

The special import window is designed to help industrial processors in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors secure adequate supplies of raw sugar. Kinyanjui noted that many plants have been operating below capacity, threatening thousands of jobs and the production of essential goods.

“This intervention is temporary and carefully regulated. It is meant to keep our factories running while we revive domestic production,” Kinyanjui said. He stressed that the imports will be vetted to ensure compliance with quality standards and to prevent market flooding.

Long-Term Focus on Self-Sufficiency

The CS emphasised that imports are not a replacement for local cane farming, reaffirming that self-sufficiency remains the government’s ultimate goal. Authorities are working with growers to expand acreage, provide better seed varieties, and address chronic challenges that have hindered productivity.

Farmers have long complained about delayed payments, poor extension services, and aging mills, which have discouraged cane cultivation.

Industry’s Structural Challenges

Kenya’s sugar industry has endured cyclical crises, fuelled by mismanagement, outdated milling technology, and the influx of cheap smuggled sugar from neighbouring countries. Analysts warn that the current deficit is among the most severe, with some factories on the brink of closure due to lack of raw material.

“Without intervention, we risk factory shutdowns, job losses, and price shocks that will ripple through the economy,” said an industry economist.

Stakeholder Reactions

Stakeholders cautiously welcomed the import window, viewing it as a short-term lifeline. However, they urged the government to accelerate reforms, including:

• Modernising mills to improve efficiency.

• Boosting farmer productivity through better support services.

• Curbing smuggling and illicit trade, which undercut local producers.

Farmers also pressed for guarantees that imports would not unfairly displace their produce once local harvests resume.

Economic and Food Security Implications

Sugar is a vital input for Kenya’s manufacturing sector and a key household commodity. Shortages have already driven up retail prices, raising concerns about affordability for consumers and stability for industries. Ensuring a stable, predictable supply chain, experts argue, is central to both food security and industrial competitiveness.

Outlook

The government has signalled that imports will remain tightly controlled and time-bound. Meanwhile, efforts to restructure the industry—through public-private partnerships, debt restructuring for state-owned mills, and investment in farmer support programs—are expected to determine whether Kenya can finally stabilise its sugar sector.