Three private sugar mills in Kenya have applied to the Agriculture Food Authority (AFA) for exemption from a blanket ban on crushing cane, which is in place to allow sugarcane to mature.
Chairman of AFA, Cornelly Serem, confirmed that the current suspension on crushing remains in effect, with an anticipated start date for milling set for December this year. “We anticipated that the duration of the moratorium would allow the majority of sugarcane in plantations to reach optimal maturity,” Serem explained.
He added that the three applications from sugar mills – Kibos, Busia, and Olepito – are currently under review. A decision on whether they will be granted permission to commence crushing will be made on an individual mill basis.
Serem disclosed that a team of AFA officials will conduct field assessments in the respective regions next week to verify the availability of mature cane. “If these mills can demonstrate the presence of mature cane, we are willing to be flexible and allow them to commence crushing,” he stated during a press conference in Kisumu.
Serem, a former Aldai MP, emphasized that the past practice of harvesting immature cane resulted in significant losses for farmers. He asserted the country’s commitment to avoiding a recurrence of such a situation.
He refuted allegations that the government had temporarily shuttered factories to facilitate sugar imports, emphasizing that the primary factor was the shortage of mature cane. “Starting from December 1st, we will gradually permit mills to operate, with full-scale operations expected by June next year,” Serem clarified.
Chairman of the Kenya Sugar Manufacturers Association (KESMA), Jayant Patel, expressed alignment with AFA’s decision to wait until December, excluding the three mills, to ensure cane maturity. “By December, the cane in farms will be between 16 to 18 months old, which is ideal for milling and obtaining high-quality sugar,” Patel stated.
