The government has moved to calm fears of a possible increase in sugar prices across the country.
Recent economic data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) had raised concerns over rising sugar prices in shops and supermarkets. But in a statement on Thursday, Kenya Sugar Board CEO Jude Chesire assured Kenyans that prices would remain stable.
“We wish to assure Kenyans that there is no cause for panic and they should continue buying sugar with confidence,” Chesire said.
According to the statement, Kenya’s sugar supply remains secure despite rising demand from population growth, urban consumption, and industrial use. This comes as the country navigates a challenging production cycle that started in 2025 and continues into early 2026.
Data shows that in 2025, national sugar production reached 613,000 metric tonnes, meeting only 61 percent of the 1.2 million MT national demand. This was a decline from 815,000 MT in 2024, a 25 percent drop that was expected as the industry underwent reforms. Production was further affected by dry conditions in key sugar-growing areas.
Chesire said the reduced output was due to several factors, including weather stress, deliberate protection of future cane, and structural reforms aimed at securing the long-term survival of the industry.
He explained that much of the mature cane had been harvested in 2024, leaving 2025 for younger cane to grow. To allow optimal maturity and higher sugar content, seven sugar factories in Western Kenya were temporarily closed, while four state-owned factories were leased to private investors and renovated at a cost of KSh 12.5 billion. Kwale Sugar also remained non-operational during the year.
“These temporary measures are necessary to modernize the industry and secure reliable production for the future,” Chesire said.
Dry spells also slowed cane growth, reduced yields, and affected factory throughput. But government-backed recovery programs and reforms are designed to minimize weather-related impacts in future seasons.
Sugar demand continues to grow in Kenya, driven by population increase and changing consumption patterns. Ensuring a stable supply is a national priority, according to the Sugar Board.
The government has introduced market stabilization measures to ensure sugar availability, keep prices predictable, and protect consumers from shortages or speculation, even as production recovers.
Farmers remain central to the recovery strategy. Programs funded by the Sh 1.2 billion Sugar Development Levy will accelerate cane growth in 2026, including expanding cultivation areas and introducing early-maturing cane varieties from the Sugar Research Institute. Together with mill renovations, these measures aim to improve yields, payment reliability, and future production.
Chesire said millions of tonnes of cane are already planted and supported by millers, with harvesting and milling expected to resume strongly from October–November 2026, marking the start of a sustained rebound in domestic sugar production.
“The challenges of late 2025 and early 2026 are real but temporary. The reforms are permanent. Our assurance to Kenyans is clear: sugar supply will remain stable as the industry completes its recovery,” Chesire said.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
