Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya has imposed a ban on sugar imports from countries outside the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) and the East African Community (EAC), citing a surge in domestic production.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja announced the ban in a statement released in Nairobi on Tuesday. He stated that local sugar production has significantly improved, with the country anticipating a yield of over 800,000 metric tonnes this year.
Karanja explained that the government’s decision to maintain the existing import window for sugar exclusively from Comesa and EAC countries was based on the increased domestic production. He noted that Kenya has been producing approximately 700,000 metric tonnes of sugar annually from 16 factories over the past four years, with a peak of 800,000 metric tonnes in 2022.
Karanja acknowledged that 2023 was an exceptional year, marked by a severe drought that negatively impacted sugar output. To address the supply gap, the government temporarily allowed sugar imports from outside the regional trade blocs.
He clarified that the average annual consumption of table sugar in Kenya is around 950,000 metric tonnes, with the shortfall being met by imports from Comesa and EAC countries under existing trade agreements.
Karanja emphasized that Kenya has taken measures to combat illegal sugar smuggling through its porous borders and remains committed to upholding the free trade principles outlined in regional treaties.
The Comesa is a regional economic community comprising 21 member states, while the EAC is an intergovernmental organization with eight partner states.
