Kenya’s sugar output rose as average retail prices eased in September 2026.
Local factories produced 690,521 tonnes in nine months, while sugar imports fell and average retail prices eased.
Kenya sugar production rose 56.7 per cent in the first nine months of 2026, while retail prices declined. Kenya Sugar Board figures show factories produced 690,521 tonnes, compared with 440,652 tonnes during the same period in 2025.
Meanwhile, the national average retail price fell from Sh171 per kilogram in September 2025 to Sh155 in September 2026. That brought the equivalent cost of two kilograms down from Sh342 to Sh310, a Sh32 saving.
Higher sugarcane deliveries supported the output gains. Factories processed 7.76 million tonnes of cane, up 56.2 per cent from 4.97 million tonnes a year earlier.
Kenya sugar production gains cut import reliance
As local output increased, sugar imports fell by approximately 31 per cent to 251,690 tonnes between January and September. Kenya imported 364,486 tonnes during the corresponding period in 2025.
Mill white and brown sugar imports recorded the sharpest decline, dropping about 71 per cent to 65,845 tonnes. However, refined white sugar imports rose from 137,756 tonnes to 158,006 tonnes, underscoring demand for additional local processing capacity.
Local millers also increased their cumulative sales by 45.6 per cent to 635,672 tonnes, compared with 436,593 tonnes. Meanwhile, stocks reached 70,773 tonnes at September’s close, up from 14,033 tonnes a year earlier.
Kenya projects annual production of 900,000 tonnes against estimated demand of one million tonnes. That compares with approximately 650,000 tonnes of production last year. Exports remain modest, although shipments rose to 315.57 tonnes from 244.80 tonnes over the nine-month period.
Export ambitions and ethanol investment
Kenya Sugar Board chief executive Jude Chesire expects the country to begin building export surpluses in 2027. Kenya also wants to use its International Sugar Organization membership to pursue markets, investment and processing technology.
Chesire, who chairs the organisation’s Council, helped resolve a leadership impasse after three inconclusive voting rounds on September 22, 2026. He initiated consultations after no candidate secured the required two-thirds majority for Executive Director.
The Council subsequently agreed that Mauritius’ Devesh Devani would serve an initial four-year term. Brazil’s Eduardo Leão de Sousa would follow for the next four years.
Beyond exports, Chesire said Kenya had begun exploring ethanol and biofuel production and wanted to learn from established producers. Brazil is among its prospective benchmarks for developing an ethanol industry using sugarcane by-products.
Domestic molasses production also rose 62.1 per cent to 307,617 tonnes during the nine months, from 189,809 tonnes. Molasses stocks reached 65,384 tonnes, compared with 12,735 tonnes a year earlier. Those larger volumes could support further processing if Kenya secures investment and markets.
