This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
On July 2, the government temporarily suspended sugar imports due to an influx of supplies that led to market distortions and reduced prices at the manufacturing level.
However, with the aim of safeguarding the local industry and improving farmers' income, the Ministry of Agriculture gazetted the Sugar Imports, Exports and By-products Regulations, 2020.
According to the new regulations, all sugar importers must register afresh, and those who fail to do so will have their licenses revoked.
“Imports that undermine the local industry and depress farmers' incomes are neither desirable nor sustainable,” said Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Peter Munya.
The new regulations will structure the registration of importers, distribution in the market, and packaging to stem the influx of contraband sugar.
“No sugar will be imported or exported outside the framework of these regulations and guidelines,” Munya emphasized.
The regulations came into effect on May 27, while the import and export regulations took force on July 10.
