The Kenya Sugar Board's November 2024 newsletter provides a comprehensive analysis of the sugar industry's performance, highlighting key metrics in local production, pricing trends, foreign trade, and the global sugar outlook. Below is a concise summary:
1. Local Sugar Market
Production and Sales
- Sugarcane Milled: Dropped by 3% to 784,759 MT in November 2024, down from 810,744 MT in October.
- Sugar Production:
- Made: Decreased by 5% to 70,044 MT in November, from 73,357 MT in October 2024.
- Bagged: Fell by 4% to 69,895 MT in November, compared to 72,908 MT in October 2024.
- Year-to-Date: January-November 2024 sugar production rose by 79% to 758,301 MT, up from 423,895 MT in 2023.
- Closing Stocks: Increased by 36% to 17,630 MT at the end of November, from 12,966 MT in October.
Pricing Trends
- Ex-Factory Prices: Rose significantly by 11% to Ksh 6,046 per 50kg bag in November, up from Ksh 5,430 in October.
- Wholesale Prices: Increased by 2% to Ksh 6,334 per 50kg bag in November, from Ksh 6,230 in October.
- Retail Prices: Averaged Ksh 146 per kilo in November, up from Ksh 138 in October.
By-Products
- Molasses Production: Dropped by 19% to 26,294 MT in November, from 32,599 MT in October.
- Molasses Prices: Increased to a mean of Ksh 5,893 per tonne, up from Ksh 5,594 in October.
- Molasses Exports: Rose to 1,290 MT in November, from 722 MT in October.
- FOB Value: Increased to Ksh 12,921 per tonne in November, up from Ksh 10,903 in October.
2. Foreign Trade
Sugar Imports
- Total Imports: Decreased by 12% to 13,022 MT in November, down from 14,775 MT in October.
- Breakdown: 2,653 MT Table Sugar and 10,369 MT White Refined Sugar.
- CIF Values:
- White Refined Sugar: Averaged Ksh 89,564/tonne.
- Mill White/Brown Sugar: Averaged Ksh 89,862/tonne.
3. Global Sugar Market
- ISA Daily Raw Sugar Price: Averaged USD 20.44 cents/lb in November, slightly lower than USD 20.94 cents/lb in October and USD 20.45 cents/lb in September.
November 2024 saw notable declines in sugarcane milling and production, accompanied by rising prices across ex-factory, wholesale, and retail levels. While imports slowed, domestic sugar stocks improved, suggesting a focus on stabilizing local supply. The global sugar market remained relatively steady, providing a stable backdrop for Kenya's industry growth. You can download the newsletter from Resources -> Monthly Newsletters
Compiled by John Kyule of Kenya Sugar Board