Kenya's Sugar Production Surges 22% Amid Government Reforms and Increased Sugarcane Supply Nairobi: Kenya's sugar production saw a significant rise of 22% during the first five months of 2026 (January-May), driven by increased sugarcane supply and government-led reforms aimed at revitalizing the industry. The government's goal is to position Kenya as a net sugar exporter, with recent data highlighting a marked improvement in production levels. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), sugar output during this period reached 348,143 tons, up from 285,418 tons in the same period of 2025. This growth is attributed to a 25.1% increase in sugarcane supply, which rose from 3.1 million tons to 3.9 million tons, providing mills with greater raw material and improving processing capacity. Despite a slight dip in May 2026, where production fell to 53,300 metric tons from 68,800 metric tons in April, the overall performance for the first five months remained strong. KNBS reported that total production for the period reached 348,100 metric tons, compared to 285,400 metric tons in 2025. The revival of the sugar industry is seen as a critical component of Kenya's agricultural transformation strategy, which seeks to meet domestic demand while expanding regional market access. The sector has long faced challenges such as outdated infrastructure, rising debt, delayed payments to farmers, and reliance on imported sugar. Recent reforms, including the Sugar Act 2024 and the establishment of sugarcane production zones, have been credited with improving the industry's outlook. The government has also privatized four state-owned mills—Soni, Njoro, Kemelil, and Muhoroni—by leasing them to private investors.#kenya #kenya_national_bureau_of_statistics #sugar_act_2024 #kenya_sugar_board #kenya_sugar_production
