Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | Kenya has announced 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 significant increase in domestic sugar production.
In a statement released in Nairobi, Andrew Karanja, Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, noted that Kenya’s sugar output is projected to exceed 800,000 metric tonnes this year, marking an improvement in local production.
Karanja stated that the government has decided not to extend the import window for sugar from non-COMESA and non-EAC countries. He explained that 2023 has been a challenging year, starting with severe drought conditions that reduced sugar yields and prompted substantial imports to meet local demand.
Kenya’s annual consumption of table sugar is approximately 950,000 metric tonnes. Karanja added that the current supply gap is being filled through imports from COMESA and EAC nations, in line with existing trade agreements.
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Previously, sugar imports from beyond these regions were temporarily allowed to shield consumers from high prices. Karanja also highlighted that safeguards facilitating sugar imports from COMESA and EAC are set to expire in February 2025.
To combat illegal sugar smuggling across porous borders, Karanja confirmed that security forces have been deployed. He reiterated Kenya’s commitment to upholding free trade principles under the established regional agreements.
COMESA is an African regional economic community with 21 member countries, while the EAC comprises eight partner states.
