Sugar production increased by 56.7% in the first nine months of 2026, reaching 690,521 tonnes as domestic supply improved, imports declined and retail prices fell compared with the previous year.
Data from the Kenya Sugar Board shows that production increased from 440,652 tonnes between January and September 2025, representing an additional 249,869 tonnes.
The improved performance coincides with Kenya’s growing involvement in international sugar industry affairs, with Kenya Sugar Board Chief Executive Jude Chesire helping resolve a leadership stalemate at the International Sugar Organization (ISO). Following three inconclusive rounds of voting for the organisation’s executive director, Chesire initiated consultations among member states. The council subsequently agreed that Mauritius’ Devesh Devani would serve the first four-year term, followed by Brazil’s Eduardo Leão de Sousa.
Chesire said the position offered Kenya opportunities to engage sugar-producing and consuming countries on export markets, processing investments and alternative products such as ethanol. “Kenya by next year will start building surpluses for exports and requires such a platform to create new markets,” he said.
Kenya is projecting production of 900,000 tonnes against estimated annual consumption of one million tonnes, compared with approximately 650,000 tonnes produced last year. Between January and September, factories processed 7.76 million tonnes of sugarcane, up 56.2% from 4.97 million tonnes during the corresponding period in 2025.
The national average retail sugar price declined to Sh155 per kilogramme in September 2026 from Sh171 a year earlier. Sugar imports decreased by 31% to 251,690 tonnes from 364,486 tonnes.
Local millers’ cumulative sales increased 45.6% to 635,672 tonnes from 436,593 tonnes. Sugar stocks reached 70,773 tonnes at the end of September, compared with 14,033 tonnes a year earlier. Meanwhile, Kenya exported 315.57 tonnes of sugar during the nine-month period, up from 244.80 tonnes in 2025.
Chesire said the country was also pursuing cooperation with established producers, particularly Brazil, to develop biofuels and ethanol production. “Conversations are now building up towards biofuels and ethanol production,” he said, adding that Kenya was benchmarking its plans against countries with established industries.
Despite improved output and reduced imports, Kenya’s projected production remains below annual consumption requirements, leaving a supply gap to address. The discussions coincide with increased molasses production, which rose 62.1% to 307,617 tonnes from 189,809 tonnes during the same period last year.
