List Of Manufacturers Reaping Big From EAC’s Duty Remission On Sugar Imports

Kenyan manufacturers of food and beverages have received a major boost after the East African Community (EAC) approved duty remission on sugar imports for industrial use.

Duty remission is the cancellation of import duties on goods to allow businesses to import certain goods without paying the usual import taxes, especially for goods which are used to manufacture other goods for domestic use or exportation.

The move by EAC, announced in a legal notice dated April 18, 2025, will allow nine Kenyan companies to import white refined sugar at a reduced duty rate of 10 percent for a period of twelve months.

The duty remission, issued under the EAC Customs Management Act, 2004, will enable manufacturers to access a combined quota of 19,000 metric tons of sugar for industrial processing.

The sugar is intended for use in producing a wide range of finished goods including juices, jams, sauces, confectionery, soft drinks, and dairy products.

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Among the top beneficiaries is Trufoods Limited, which has been allocated 5,000 metric tons of sugar. The company will use the sugar to produce an array of products such as jams, marmalades, sauces, peanut butter, powdered drinks, and syrups.

These companies include:

• Jetlak Foods Limited (3,000 MT) – for juice production
• Bidco Africa Limited (2,000 MT) – for soft drinks and energy drinks
• Devayani Food Industries (Kenya) Limited (2,000 MT) – for yoghurt, flavoured milk, and ice cream
• Kevian Kenya Limited (1,000 MT) – for ready-to-drink juices and soft drinks
• Malbros Industries Limited (1,000 MT) – for tomato sauce, syrups, and confectionery
• Njoro Canning Factory (1,000 MT) – for jams and canned pineapples
• Equator Beverages Kenya Limited (2,000 MT) – for carbonated sodas.

The duty relief is expected to reduce production costs and enhance competitiveness for local manufacturers and boost economic activities in the country.