Raw cane or beet sugar in solid form market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

The sugar market volume in Kenya expanded from 588 thousand tons in 2018 to 839 thousand tons in 2020. This period of growth was followed by a contraction to 775 thousand tons in 2021.

Market volume recovered slightly to 812 thousand tons in 2022, a year marked by the publication of the Sugar Bill 2022 aimed at regulating the industry, re-establishing the Kenya Sugar Board, and introducing a development levy to fund sector improvements. However, the market fell sharply to 530 thousand tons in 2023, reflecting persistent challenges within the sector such as high production costs, inefficiencies in the value chain, and a weak regulatory framework.

In 2024, the Sugar Bill was signed into law, formally establishing the Kenya Sugar Board and a development levy. The government also increased sugarcane prices, lifted a ban on harvesting immature cane, and enforced new zoning regulations to prevent illegal cane poaching. Furthermore, Kenya banned sugar imports from outside the COMESA and EAC trading blocs to protect local production.

Production raw cane or beet sugar in solid form in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form, 2017-2020

In 2019, Kenya's production of raw cane or beet sugar in solid form reached its lowest point at 440.9 thousand tons, marking a 10.2% decline. However, production rebounded sharply in 2020 to 603.8 thousand tons, representing a significant 36.9% increase from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 27.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5%.

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

Exports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form from Kenya

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest point occurred in 2020 with just 0.1 thousand tons, while the peak was reached in 2018 at 0.5 thousand tons - representing an 8.7-fold difference between these years. The 2020 figure marked a 34.0% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019 at 82.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 125.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda, Rwanda, and Malawi remained Kenya's primary export markets for raw cane or beet sugar in solid form. Uganda accounted for 33.1% of exports, Rwanda for 26.6%, and Malawi for 14.8%. Together, these three countries represented 74.6% of Kenya's total sugar exports during this period.

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, M $ US

Export values experienced significant fluctuations throughout these years. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 0.1 million US dollars, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 0.4 million US dollars - a 7.5-fold difference. The 2020 figure represented a 49.3% decrease from the previous year. The most substantial decline took place in 2019 at 73.9%, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 at 61.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Malawi, Uganda, and Rwanda continued to be Kenya's leading export destinations by value. Malawi accounted for 22.9% of export value, Uganda for 22.7%, and Rwanda for 20.8%. Collectively, these three markets represented 66.5% of Kenya's total sugar export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports raw cane or beet sugar in solid form to Kenya

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes displayed notable volatility during this period. The lowest point was reached in 2018 at 97.5 thousand tons, while the peak occurred in 2017 - representing a 7.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 235.1 thousand tons, showing a 15.5% increase from 2019. The most significant decline was recorded in 2018 at 86.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 108.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe formed Kenya's primary sources for sugar imports by volume. Brazil accounted for 38.2% of imports, Eswatini for 12.6%, and Zimbabwe for 11.9%. Together, these three countries supplied 62.7% of Kenya's total sugar imports during this period.

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, M $ US

Import values showed irregular patterns, reflecting a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 55.6 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2017 - representing a 6.5-fold variation between these years. In 2020, import value reached 127.6 million US dollars, marking a 15.9% increase from the previous year. The most substantial decline took place in 2018 at 84.6%, while the largest increase was observed in 2019 at 98.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, Zimbabwe, and Eswatini were the most significant contributors to Kenya's sugar import value. Brazil accounted for 34.6% of import value, Zimbabwe for 12.7%, and Eswatini for 11.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 59.2% of Kenya's total sugar import value during this timeframe.

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

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