NAIROBI, Kenya— Sugarcane farmers in Kenya have received another shot in the arm after the government announced a fresh upward revision of the minimum sugarcane price to Sh5,750 per tonne.
This latest increment, approved by the 4th Interim Sugarcane Pricing Committee, represents a Sh250 rise from the previous rate of Sh5,500 set in April 2025.
The new price officially took effect on July 21, 2025.
In a directive to all sugar millers, Principal Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Paul Ronoh, instructed immediate implementation of the new rate and emphasized the need for prompt payments to farmers.
“The Committee approved an increase in the price of cane from the current Sh5,500.00 per tonne to Sh5,750.00 per tonne, effective 21st July 2025,” read a statement signed by the PS.
The review follows a reassessment of the ex-factory sugar prices covering the period from April to June.
It marks the second price increase in just three months adding up to a total increment of Sh500 per tonne, or a 9.5% rise since April.
The previous revision had moved the price from Sh5,250 to Sh5,500 per tonne.
The decision is widely expected to inject renewed energy into Kenya’s sugar sector, particularly in the sugar belt regions of Western Kenya, where thousands of smallholder farmers rely on cane farming for their livelihoods.
The Agriculture Ministry says the upward trend in cane pricing reflects government commitment to strengthening the sector and ensuring fair returns for growers.
The sugarcane pricing committee is expected to continue reviewing market conditions regularly to protect farmers’ interests and enhance competitiveness within the local sugar industry.
