Primary sugar crops market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, primary sugar crops production in Kenya declined from 5 262 thousand tonnes to 4 606 thousand tonnes. This drop was driven by low productivity, inefficient processing, and limited access to credit for farmers, compounded by erratic rainfall, high input costs, and unreliable power supply that affected state-owned mills like Nzoia Sugar and Chemelil Sugar.

Production rebounded sharply to 6 811 thousand tonnes in 2020 and continued growing to 8 800 thousand tonnes by 2022. This expansion coincided with preparations to launch several new sugar milling factories, including Angata Sugar Mills, Soit Sugar, and Tiryo Sugar Mills, which aimed to extend production beyond traditional sugar belts. The government also considered relocating sugarcane farming to the coastal region to utilize available land and irrigation potential.

In 2023, output fell to 5 556 thousand tonnes after the Agriculture and Food Authority imposed a ban on harvesting immature sugarcane, combined with below-average rainfall. The ban expired in November 2023. The following year, the Sugar Bill was enacted, re-establishing the Kenya Sugar Board to regulate the industry, introduce a Sugar Development Levy, and enforce packaging rules, while several factories resumed operations after maintenance.

Production primary sugar crops in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

World map of production of primary sugar crops, 2017-2020

Kenya's production of primary sugar crops reached 6 811 K t in 2020, marking a significant 47.9% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 43.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 12.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 4 606 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 12.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports primary sugar crops from Kenya

Exports in kind, kg

Exports of primary sugar crops from Kenya declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports stood at 100 kg, representing a sharp 89.4% drop from 2018. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, exports decreased by 90.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -54.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Burundi were the main destinations for Kenya's primary sugar crop exports in kind. Germany accounted for 56.0% of exports, the Netherlands for 20.3%, and Burundi for 7.0%. Together, these three countries absorbed 83.4% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, $ US

The value of primary sugar crop exports from Kenya fell for the second consecutive year. In 2019, Kenya exported $70 worth of primary sugar crops, showing a dramatic 97.3% decrease compared to 2018. Between 2017 and 2019, exports declined by 97.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -70.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany and the Netherlands dominated the export value of primary sugar crops from Kenya, accounting for the majority of shipments. Other markets played a less significant role during this period.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2017-2020

Imports primary sugar crops to Kenya

Imports in kind, kg

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania was the primary source for Kenya's imports of primary sugar crops in kind, consistently supplying 100.0% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, $ US

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2017-2020, $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Tanzania dominated the import value structure for primary sugar crops into Kenya, consistently representing 100.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2017-2020