Dar es Salaam: The government has sanctioned the importation of 50,000 tonnes of sugar to address the recent surge in prices caused by shortages in the commodity, reported The Citizen.
This move comes in tandem with the government’s call for sugar manufacturers to resume production, following a hiatus of almost two months due to the impact of heavy rains on sugarcane plantations.
A survey conducted by The Citizen across Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, Iringa, and Manyara regions revealed a significant escalation in sugar prices. A kilogram of sugar is now retailing between Sh4,000 and Sh5,000, a notable increase from the previous range of Sh3,000 to Sh3, and 200 just a few weeks ago.
Kenneth Bengesi, the director general of the Sugar Board of Tanzania (SBT), confirmed the suspension of production at major factories for two months due to waterlogging in sugarcane plantations, affecting crop quality. Key sugar-producing regions, including Kilimanjaro and Morogoro, experienced unusually heavy rains, leading to the depletion of sugar stocks.
He warned against arbitrary price increases by wholesalers and retailers, emphasizing those strict measures would be taken against those found guilty.
