Sucrose in solid form market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Kenya's sucrose market grew from 801.5 thousand tons to 980.2 thousand tons, as domestic production increased from 624.6 thousand tons to 771.8 thousand tons. This expansion was bolstered by the extension of COMESA sugar safeguards in 2020, which restricted tariff-free imports and provided protection for local output.

Production dipped to 712.3 thousand tons in 2021 before recovering to 762.6 thousand tons in 2022. The rebound was driven by an improvement in the harvested cane area after the expiration of a harvest ban previously enforced by the Agriculture and Food Authority. Concurrently, the government reduced the official cane price by 2% to lower operational costs for local mills competing against cheaper imports.

In 2023, a cane harvest ban in place for most of the year caused production to plummet to 487.7 thousand tons, forcing imports up to 550.8 thousand tons to meet demand. The ban was lifted in November 2023. By 2024, imports had fallen to 311.2 thousand tons, while the government enacted the Sugar Act to reestablish the Kenya Sugar Board, canceled KSh 117 billion in public mill debt to attract private investment, and implemented new hazardous chemical labeling rules affecting industrial inputs.

Production sucrose in solid form in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

World map of production of sucrose in solid form, 2017-2020

Kenya's production of solid sucrose increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 772 thousand tonnes, marking a moderate 7.1% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually declined by 36.5%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 14.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 625 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 48.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant growth with a 15.4% increase.

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

Exports sucrose in solid form from Kenya

Exports in kind, K t

The export market for solid sucrose from Kenya showed notable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their peak in 2018 at 3.7 thousand tonnes, but fell to their lowest point in 2020 at just 0.7 thousand tonnes, representing a 5.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports declined substantially by 18.2% compared to 2019. The most dramatic decrease occurred in 2019 with a 77.8% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a remarkable 411.3% surge.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania and Rwanda were the dominant destinations for Kenya's solid sucrose exports, together accounting for 84.0% of total export volumes, with the remaining share going to other markets.

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

The export value of solid sucrose from Kenya exhibited considerable volatility during these years. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2.0 million US dollars, while the lowest was in 2020 at 0.4 million US dollars, creating a 4.7-fold variation between these extremes. In 2020, export value declined by 25.2% compared to the previous year. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019 with a 71.7% drop, while 2018 saw the largest increase with a 178.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania was the largest buyer of Kenyan solid sucrose in value terms, accounting for 53.8% of exports. Rwanda followed with 21.1%, and Uganda with 18.3%. Together, these three countries represented 93.1% of Kenya's total export value for solid sucrose 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 sucrose in solid form to Kenya

Imports in kind, K t

Kenya's imports of solid sucrose amounted to 209.1 thousand tonnes in 2020, representing a substantial 16.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 4%, with an average annual decrease of 1.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 180.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 17.0%. In contrast, imports peaked in 2019 at 250.3 thousand tonnes, with that year experiencing the most significant increase of 38.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mauritius was the largest source of Kenya's solid sucrose imports by volume, accounting for 27.0% of total imports. India followed with 16.2%, and Egypt with 15.0%. Together, these three countries supplied 58.2% of Kenya's total import volume 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

In 2020, Kenya's imports of solid sucrose were valued at 105.1 million US dollars, indicating an 11.9% decline compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 13.8%, with an average annual decrease of 4.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 89.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 26.9%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 with a 33.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritius remained the primary supplier of solid sucrose to Kenya in value terms, accounting for 28.3% of total import value. Egypt followed with 15.7%, and India with 14.8%. Together, these three countries represented 58.8% of Kenya's total import value for solid sucrose during this period.

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

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