The quantity of sugar imported into the country dropped to a seven-month low in February 2024 on improved output as factories resumed operations after months of closure due to a shortage of cane.
Data from the Sugar Directorate indicates that traders imported 42,381 tonnes of the sweetener last month, recording the lowest quantity since July 2023, when 27,179 tonnes were shipped into the country.
The country ceased to import sugar over the past three months after the government lifted the five-month ban effected to allow cane to mature. The ban was lifted in December last year, bringing the local factories back to life.
During the ban, the millers unsuccessfully lobbied to import the commodity, arguing they had established supply networks compared to traders.
They milled 63,075 tonnes of sugar last month, which is the highest local output since January 2023.
“Total sugar produced (bagged) in February 2024 was 63,075 tonnes, four percent up from 60,680 tonnes recorded the previous month,” the directorate said.
The reopening of the sugar millers has seen prices of the sweetener come down significantly over the past three months handing a major boost to consumers.
This is especially due to the higher cost of imported sugar whose prices continue to rise.
Data from the directorate shows that landed cost in Mombasa for imported refined sugar averaged Sh121, 246 per tone in February, up from Sh106, 658 in the previous month.
