Sugar production rises to 348,143 tonnes in five months as reforms boost Kenya’s industry
Kenya’s sugar production rose 21.98% to 348,143 tonnes during January–May 2026, driven by 25.1% higher sugarcane deliveries, factory reforms and private investment. Government measures, including factory leasing, zoning and the Sugar Act 2024, are supporting the sector’s ongoing recovery.
Higher sugar cane deliveries, factory reforms and private investment pushed Kenya’s sugar production to 348,143 tonnes between January and May 2026, marking a 21.98 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.
Latest data by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows the country produced 348,143 tonnes of sugar during the first five months of 2026, up from 285,418 tonnes recorded over the same period in 2025.
The increase was supported by a 25.1 per cent rise in sugar cane deliveries by farmers, which grew to 3.9 million tonnes from 3.1 million tonnes during the review period, providing factories with more raw material for processing.
However, sugar production dropped from 68.8 thousand metric tonnes in April 2026 to 53.3 thousand metric tonnes in May 2026.
“Sugar production declined from 68.8 thousand MT in April 2026 to 53.3 thousand MT in May 2026. However, on a cumulative basis, sugar production during the first five months of 2026 increased to 348.1 thousand MT, compared to 285.4 thousand MT recorded during the corresponding period of 2025,” reads the report.
KNBS notes that soft drinks production also declined from 58.0 million litres in April 2026 to 54.2 million litres in May 2026.
The latest figures point to continued recovery in the sugar industry after years of low production, ageing factories, financial challenges and reliance on imported sugar to meet local demand.
The government has made the revival of the sector one of its key agricultural reform programmes, with the goal of producing enough sugar for local consumption and creating surplus for export to regional markets.
It has linked the improved performance to the implementation of the Sugar Act, 2024, the zoning of sugar cane growing areas and the leasing of four State-owned sugar factories to private investors.
Sony, Nzoia, Chemelil and Muhoroni sugar factories were leased to private operators under a programme aimed at attracting fresh investment, improving efficiency and restoring production after years of financial difficulties.
According to the National Treasury, the leasing programme protects a combined crushing capacity of 11,200 tonnes of cane per day while attracting private investment to modernise ageing factories.
The government also says zoning sugar cane growing areas has helped reduce cane poaching, improve planning by millers and increase factory utilisation.
Treasury estimates that the revived sugar industry now provides about 250,000 direct jobs and supports nearly six million livelihoods through farming, transport, milling and trade.
For years, the sector struggled with inefficient State-owned factories, delayed payments to farmers, ageing equipment and rising sugar imports that reduced the competitiveness of locally produced sugar.
Production had fallen below the country’s demand, forcing Kenya to rely on imports from regional and international markets to bridge the supply gap.
In April, the Kenya Sugar Board revised the minimum sugar cane price to Sh5,500 per tonne to improve returns for farmers while ensuring millers remain financially sustainable as production continues to rise.
The increase in cane deliveries has also helped factories make better use of their installed crushing capacity, which had for years been limited by inadequate supplies of raw material.
The improved harvests are expected to support further growth in sugar production in the coming months if favourable weather conditions continue and factories maintain their operations.
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Source : The Eastleigh Voice
