Kenya: Govt. maintains sugar import ban from non EAC, COMESA countries

The government has maintained an earlier embargo on all sugar imports from countries outside the East African Community (EAC) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Dr Andrew Karanja says this follows expected higher sugar production this year which eliminates the need for imports to cover any shortfall. “This year, with improved local production leading to lower sugar prices, the import window for countries outside COMESA and EAC was not extended. While sugar imports from these regions continue under existing trade protocols, the volumes have been lower due to unattractive low prices,” said Dr Karanja. Kenya allowed sugar imports from non EAC and COMESA countries last year to cover production shortfall and contain further price hikes owing to drought that affected production within the trade blocs. The import ban has similarly been implemented to curtail illegal imports into the country. “Additionally, there are ...