Local farmers decry cheap sugar importsFarmers march in Kakamega town during a recent protest. [File, Standard]Cane farmers in Kakamega County have decried the smuggling of cheap sugar into the local market.They fear the cheap sugar imports could result in a slump in the local market, further hurting the struggling sugar factories. Between January and March, the sugar imports hit 118,065 tonnes compared to 63,496 tonnes in same period last year. “The activities are tantamount to economic sabotage because by bringing in cheap sugar, they are risking the survival of our already battered domestic sugar sector,” said Simon Wesechere, the federation’s deputy secretary-general. The decision, which offers relief to Kenyan millers who face competition due to cheap sugar imports, was arrived at during the 20th Comesa summit in Lusaka.

Source: Standard Digital May 03, 2020 20:04 UTC