Government assures stability in sugar prices amid supply concerns

In a statement on Thursday, KSB asserted that Kenya’s sugar supply remains secure despite a rising demand driven by population growth.

"In 2025, our data indicate that national sugar production stood at 613,000 metric tonnes, meeting only 61 percent of national demand of 1.2 million MT," the statement noted in part.

"This was a decline from the historic 815,000 MT recorded in 2024, representing a 25% drop that was anticipated as the industry entered a major reform phase."

The alarm follows a recent economic indicator report from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), which raised concerns over potential increases in sugar prices in retail shops.

KSB added that production has been crippled with a myriad of conditions, among them dry weather conditions in key growing areas from late 2025, deliberate protection of future cane, and structural reforms designed to secure the long-term survival of the sugar industry.

The Board therefore asserted that the government has installed measures to ensure sugar remains available, prices remain predictable, and consumers are protected as production is projected to recover in early 2026.

"Millions of tonnes of cane are already in the ground supported by millers, with harvesting and milling projected to resume strongly from October–November 2026, marking the beginning of a sustained rebound in domestic production."