Kenya approves duty-remitted imports of 208,600 T of sugar for industrial use
The move aims to support the country’s manufacturing sector by lowering production costs for food. Beverage growers. The EAC duty remission program allows businesses to import raw materials at a reduced duty rate of 10%, compared to the standard 25%, provided the sugar is used strictly for industrial purposes.
By lowering input costs, the administration seeks to enhance the competitiveness of local manufacturers and reduce reliance on finished imports. The ten businesses granted approval include Mombasa Sugar Refinery, Coca-Cola Beverages Kenya, Equator Bottlers, Trufoods Limited, Jetlak Foods Limited, Devyani Food Industries, Kenafric Beverages, Bidco Africa, Njoro Canning Factory, and Al-Mahra Industries.
These firms plan to use the imported sugar in a variety of products, ranging from sodas and juices to sauces and jams. All approved companies must be registered with the Sugar Directorate and are required to use the imported sugar exclusively for manufacturing purposes, in line with the conditions of the remission scheme. Trade experts believe the decision will help reduce production costs for many essential products, potentially stabilizing quotations for shoppers.
It is also viewed as part of broader the authorities efforts to strengthen domestic industries and encourage value addition within the country. The approval comes even as Kenya documented a rise in local sugar production.
Going to a Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) report, sugar production increased by 5% in February to 76,758 tonnes, up from 73,019 tonnes in January. This rise was driven by the availability of mature sugarcane with higher sugar content.
That said, the total amount of sugarcane crushed by mills slightly eased to 816,632 tonnes from 827,482 tonnes. Per to KSB CEO Jude Chesire, despite the lower crushing volumes, the higher quality of the sugarcane resulted in improved sugar yields for millers.
