Kenya’s sugar production rose nearly 22 per cent in the first five months of 2026 as increased cane deliveries and reforms in the sector boosted mill output, strengthening the government’s ambition to turn the country into a net sugar exporter.

Latest Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) data shows domestic sugar production grew 21.98 per cent to 348,143 tonnes between January and May, up from 285,418 tonnes during the same period last year.

The increase followed a 25.1 per cent jump in sugar cane deliveries by farmers, which rose to 3.9 million tonnes from 3.1 million tonnes over the review period.

“On a cumulative basis, sugar production during the first five months of 2026 increased to 348.1 thousand metric tonnes, compared to 285.4 thousand metric tonnes recorded during the corresponding period of 2025,” said KNBS.

The growth signals a recovery in the sugar industry after years of declining output, ageing factories, mounting debts and heavy dependence on imports to bridge domestic shortages.

President William Ruto’s administration has made revival of the sector a key pillar of its agricultural reforms, targeting surplus production and exports to regional markets after decades of net imports.

The government has attributed the turnaround to implementation of the Sugar Act, 2024, zoning of cane catchment areas, as well as the leasing of four State-owned sugar mills to private investors.

Read: Sugar production dips 27pc amid factory disruptions

Sony, Nzoia, Chemelil and Muhoroni sugar factories were leased to private operators under a programme aimed at attracting fresh investment and improving efficiency to restore production after years of financial distress.

A wheel loader gathers sugarcane at the loading yard of Sony Sugar Company Limited in Awendo, Migori County, on June 11, 2025.

Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group

Treasury says the leasing programme safeguards a combined crushing capacity of 11,200 tonnes of cane daily while attracting private capital to modernise ageing factories.

Read: Sugar imports surge looms as domestic output plunges

Government further notes that zoning of sugar cane catchment areas has reduced cane poaching, improved planning by millers and increased factory utilisation rates.

Treasury estimates the revitalised sugar industry now supports about 250,000 direct jobs and sustains nearly six million livelihoods across farming, transport, milling and trade.

The sector had for years been weighed down by inefficient State-owned mills, delayed farmer payments, ageing equipment and rising imports that eroded the competitiveness of locally produced sugar.

Production had fallen below national demand, forcing Kenya to rely on imports from regional and international markets to fill the deficit.

The Kenya Sugar Board in April revised the minimum cane price to Sh5,500 per tonne, seeking to balance farmer returns with the financial sustainability of millers as production continues rising.

The entrance to Nzoia Sugar Company in Bungoma County.

Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group

Higher cane deliveries have been critical as mill utilisation has historically been constrained by inadequate raw material despite high installed crushing capacity.

The improved harvests are expected to support further increases in sugar production in the coming months if weather conditions remain favourable and factories sustain operations.

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kmwangi@ke.nationmedia.com