Growth on Sugar Imports in October Hit 29 pc Due to High Demand

Sugar imports in October grew 29 percent compared to the same period last year with volumes hitting 23,412 tons from 18,173 tons in 2017.

The growth has been attributed to the increased demand of industrial commodity by manufacturers.

According to a report from the Sugar Directorate, industrial sugar accounted for the lion’s share of the imports.

“During the month of October 2018, table sugar imports totalled 6,886 tons while refined white sugar was 16,525 tons,” says the report.

Kenya does not manufacture industrial sugar and it relies on imports to meet the annual demand of 150,000 tons.

The sugar is mainly used by manufacturers of beverages, confectioneries, and sweets among other products.

Tanzania has picked a quarrel with Kenya on account of Dar imports from Kenya with the foreign input.

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) countries supplied Kenya with 11,675 tons.

EAC provided 1,074 tons all being from Uganda whereas imports from other countries across the world totaled 10,663 tons.

Sugar imports from Uganda grew 97 percent in 10 months to October resulting from surplus stocks in the neighbouring country.

Data from the regulator indicates the volumes jumped to 52,827 tons last month from 26,800 tons in the same period last year.