Kenya Stops Sugar Imports by Millers After Local Production Surges Past 80,000 Tonnes a Month

The government has imposed an embargo on sugar imports by local milling companies after declaring that Kenya’s domestic sugar production has grown enough to meet the country’s monthly demand.

Principal Secretary for Agriculture Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh announced the decision during the official opening of the 10th campus of the Kenya School of Agriculture at the former Pap Konam Agricultural Training Centre in Seme Constituency, Kisumu County.

Dr. Ronoh said the import ban is intended to protect local sugarcane farmers, strengthen the country’s sugar industry and reduce Kenya’s dependence on imported sugar. He noted that increased domestic production has created sufficient supply to satisfy the local market, eliminating the need for millers to continue importing sugar.

According to the Principal Secretary, Kenya’s sugar sector has experienced significant growth over the past year, with monthly production increasing from approximately 40,000 metric tonnes to more than 80,000 metric tonnes. The sharp rise, he said, reflects ongoing reforms and investments aimed at revitalizing one of the country’s most important agricultural industries.

“The country has now attained adequate production capacity to meet domestic sugar demand,” Dr. Ronoh said, adding that the government is committed to ensuring locally produced sugar receives priority in the market.

The announcement marks a major shift for a sector that has long relied on imports to bridge supply shortages. For decades, Kenya imported sugar to supplement local production, particularly during periods when output from domestic factories fell below national consumption levels.

Government officials believe the embargo will provide a more stable market for locally produced sugar, improve returns for sugarcane farmers and encourage millers to source more cane from Kenyan growers. The move is also expected to support continued investment in sugar production and value addition across the industry.

Dr. Ronoh made the announcement while presiding over the launch of the Kenya School of Agriculture’s newest campus in Seme, an institution expected to expand agricultural training and equip farmers, extension officers and young agripreneurs with modern farming skills.

The establishment of the new campus forms part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen agricultural education and promote the adoption of improved farming technologies as Kenya pursues higher productivity and greater food security.

The government has maintained that ongoing reforms in the sugar sector, including improvements in factory operations, enhanced farmer support and policy changes, are beginning to deliver measurable results. Officials say sustaining the current production levels will be critical to ensuring the country remains self-sufficient while protecting both farmers and consumers from market instability.

With local production now exceeding 80,000 metric tonnes each month, authorities are optimistic that Kenya’s sugar industry is entering a new phase of growth, one driven by stronger domestic output, reduced import dependence and increased opportunities for farmers across the country’s sugar-growing regions.