A farmer at his sugarcane plantation in Kakamega County. the government has announced new price rates for a tonne of sugarcane. Photo: Business Daily.
The Ministry of Agriculture has announced new prices for sugarcane from previous KSh 5,550 per tonne to KSh 5,750 per turn in the last three months.
which had seen the price move from Kshs. 5,250 to Kshs. 5,500 per tonne in April. The latest Kshs. 250 increment was approved by the 4th Interim Sugarcane Pricing Committee after reviewing ex-factory sugar prices for the April to June period.
“We have once again revised the minimum sugarcane price upwards, raising it from Kshs. 5,500 to Kshs. 5,750 per tonne, just three months after the last increase,” announced the Ministry.
According to a statement from by the Ministry, the new prices took effect on July 21, after Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Paul Rono directed all players in the sugarcane sector to implement the new minimum price with immediate effect and ensure timely payments to farmers.
“The Committee approved an increase in the price of cane from the current KSh. 5,500.00 per tonne to KSh 5,750.00 per tonne, effective 21st July 2025,” read the letter signed by the PS.
MOA states that the latest review brings the total increment within the last four months to KSh. 500 per tonne, a 9.5% rise from April, offering a much-needed boost to sugarcane farmers across western Kenya.
The Ministry stated that the price adjustment was to cushion sugarcane farmers from challenges in the sector, including delayed payments and rising costs of inputs during the farming.
The new prices were agreed by a Committee that was formed early this year and held its second meeting recently, settling on the new rates.
“The back-to-back price adjustments underscore our responsiveness to the concerns of cane growers, who have been grappling with rising input costs and delayed payments. The committee, formed in January 2025, held its second meeting on July 17 to arrive at the new rate,” the Ministry stated.
Cs Mutahi Kagwe has been leading reforms in the sector, repeatedly emphasized the government’s resolve to stabilize the sugar industry through price reviews and better farmer support.
The new price rates come after the government had ordered closure of all sugarcane factories in Western Kenya due to shortage of sugarcane from farmers. However, the directive was over turned by Court, with lawyers representing farmers calling on government to obey the ruling.
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