Nzoia Sugar calls for ban on cheap sugar imports

Nzoia Sugar Company Chairman Joash Wamang’oli has called for ban on cheap imports to save local millers.

Mr Waman’goli said the company had stocked sugar in its warehouses but are unable to sell as cheap imports have flooded the market.

The imports are sold at lower prices than locally manufactured sugar.

“We have a lot of sugar in our warehouses and we cannot sell. The reason is because cheap imports into the country are hurting our sales,” said Mr Wamang’oli.

He called on the government to be vigilant and identify routes used by unscrupulous traders to smuggle sugar to avoid the commodity from getting into the local market.

He said the public living near such routes should also be sensitised to report to the police when they spot suspicious vehicles used to transport the smuggled sugar.

Mr Wamang’oli said the company could be able to increase the amount paid to farmers per ton should it sell the sugar stocked in the warehouses.

“If we stop cheap imports and improve sale of our own produce, then farmers will be paid handsomely,” he said.

Mr Wamang’oli was speaking at the factory in Bungoma when he gave reflector jackets to bodaboda operators.