The sugar production in Kenya reported a drop of 36 per cent during the month of April, leading to a surge in retail market prices.
According to the Sugar Directorate’s monthly data, the total sugar produced in April 2023 amounted to 31,970 metric tonnes (MT), in contrast to 49,761 MT recorded in March. This drop in production can be attributed to lower supply to the mills across the country.
In April 2023, sugar mills processed 405,389 MT of sugarcane, a decrease from 546,150 MT in March and 716,274 MT in February 2023. Consequently, the quantity of sugar produced also declined in April compared to March, as reported by the directorate in their monthly newsletter.
Wholesale sugar prices witnessed a 1% increase, reaching Ksh 7,210 per 50kg bag in April, compared to Ksh 7,171 per 50kg bag in March. Meanwhile, retail sugar prices in April 2023 were reported at Ksh 160 per kg, rising from Ksh 157 per kg in March and Ksh 147 per kg in February, as reported by the Sugar Directorate.
