According to the latest data from the Sugar Directorate, the price of a kilo of sugar has dropped by Kes 10 to Kes 185 in February from Kes 195 in January after sugarcane milled by local factories grew.

Further, the data revealed that 755,996 metric tons (MT) of sugarcane were milled by millers in February, up from 713,513 MT in the preceding month.

Production was also boosted by a five-month ban on harvesting immature canes, lifted in November last year.

The window allowed for the full maturity of crops, helping to increase yields.

The Directorate said in a statement, “In February 2024, wholesale prices dropped to an average of Kes 6,969 per 50kg bag, down 4% from Kes 7,267 per 50kg bag in January 2024.”

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Increased local output impacted sugar imports, which fell by 14 percent to 42,381 MT from 49,510 MT.

“In February 2024, CIF Mombasa landed values for imported White Refined Sugar averaged Kes 121,246/tonne compared to Kes 106,658/tonne for Mill White/Brown sugar.”

The data also shows that molasses production increased by 18 percent to 31,053, reducing the cost of the product by 32 percent to Sh29,536 per ton.