Kenya Slams Door on Sugar Imports, Prioritizing Domestic Industry and Farmers

Government enacts immediate ban to bolster local sugar production

In a move to revitalize the domestic sugar industry, Kenya has imposed an immediate ban on all sugar imports, as reported by ChiniMandi. The directive, issued by Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, aims to stimulate the growth of local sugar mills and safeguard the livelihoods of Kenyan sugarcane farmers.

Omollo, who also heads the border control and operations coordination committee, stressed the critical need to curb sugar imports and provide much-needed breathing room for the local industry. The order explicitly instructs officials at all ports of entry to halt the import of both brown and table sugar, effective immediately.

This action aligns with the government's broader strategy to revitalize struggling sugar mills across the country, a move aimed at improving the economic well-being of sugarcane farmers. "To sustain this progress, it is imperative to safeguard the industry by halting sugar imports," asserted Omollo, emphasizing that Kenya possesses sufficient domestic production capacity to meet national demand.

Government data suggests that Kenyan sugar producers generate an average of 80,000 tonnes of sugar monthly, while national consumption hovers around 4,000 tonnes per month.

Enforcement of the ban will be stringent, extending to all border crossings, including routes across Lake Victoria. Key entry points such as Namanga, Busia, Malaba, and Mombasa, among others, have been placed on high alert to ensure compliance.

This decisive action has been met with praise from Kenyan sugarcane farmers, who have long advocated for protection against the influx of cheaper imported sugar. The Kenya Sugarcane Growers Association (KSGA) has been particularly vocal in its calls for a ban, arguing that unchecked imports have undercut domestic prices and jeopardized the livelihoods of local farmers.

Richard Ogendo, a representative of the KSGA, cautioned that unregulated imports could open the door to unfair trade practices that disadvantage local producers. "We must prioritize the key sectors driving our economy, like local manufacturing, and implement measures to protect them," Ogendo stated.