Sugar Prices Up By 30 Shillings: Where Should Kenyans Run To?

Have you noticed that the price of sugar has been increased? Well, a 2-kilogram packet of sugar has gone up by 30 shillings while one kilogram has been increased between 10 and 15 shillings. This follows a similar increase in the price of milk.

Most supermarkets are selling 2-kilograms of sugar between 220 and 230 shillings from 200 shillings a week ago. One kilogram is retailing between 109 and 115 shillings in most supermarkets. Kenyans are now buying in bulk anticipating a shortage.

In most retail shops, the price of one kilogram of sugar has gone up by 20 shillings to retail at 120 shillings from just 100 shillings. The prices are set to rise further. Local brands are the most expensive with some going for up to 260 shillings.

Read More: Sugar Production Registers a Tiny Drop as Sales Increase by 3%

The government has attributed to interruptions at the mills. Chemelil and Kibos sugar mills broke down, leading to a huge backlog of cane to be processed in which has impacted on total stocks in the country. No word on when normal supply will resume.

In May, Sugar Directorate released a report giving insight into how the sugar industry performed. According to the report, a total of 57,796 tones of sugar was produced in May 2021 as compared to 58,404 tonnes in the previous month, indicating a 1 percent decrease

The total sales in the same month were 60,234 tonnes which is a 3 percent increase from the previous month. The sugar market news indicated that the total sugar closing stocks held by all the factories as of May 2021 was 10,384 tonnes.

The Ex-factory prices ranged between 4200 shillings and 4650 shillings, giving an average of 4,432 shillings /50kg bag compared to 4,513 shillings /50kg bag recorded in the previous month.

Read More: Sugar Manufactures Want Ban On Sugarcane Importation Lifted

With every product increasing in prices, what product/service should Kenyans expect next?