Government to import sugar through NFRA, CPB D

ativa Minja

Sugar

KAGERA: THE Sugar Board of Tanzania (SBT) Director General, Prof Kenneth Bengesi yesterday said the government is...

looking forward to import sugar through the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) and the Cereals and Other Produce Board of Tanzania (CPB) to meet the current high demand of sugar in the country.

The SBT boss was speaking after inspecting sugar warehouses and assessing the distribution procedures to various areas in the country.

He said the government will follow all required legal procedures to ensure there is no more monopoly in sugar businesses. He told sugar producers to import sugar in bulk procurement to easier its availability and give relief to consumers.

“All sugar producers who have been permitted to import sugar must make sure they apply bulk procurement so that they can import enough amount,” he noted.

He added: “We are aware of the challenge of availability of sugar in the world market, therefore importers must look into the best way to import sugar, we do not expect someone to bring only 1000 tonnes.

” He also warned sugar importers and dealers who are still selling the sweetener at higher prices contrary to the government directives. “The government will not hesitate to take both legal and disciplinary measures against those who will be found selling sugar at higher prices,” he said.

He said the Board is investigating the Mwanza distributor who appeared on social media selling sugar at higher price. He said if found guilty, SBT will advise Kagera sugar Limited to terminate the distribution contract with the factory.

On his part the Kagera Sugar Limited (KSL) Operation Director, Mr Abel Magese said they have been given a permit to import 10,000 tonnes of sugar and that so far 1,485 tonnes of sugar had been imported and supplied to distributors.

He said the sugar was imported from India and will be distributed to Mwanza, Dodoma, Tanga and Mwanza regions. Mr Magese said apart from the shortage of sugar in the world market, the availability of vessels to bring sugar to the country is another challenge.

The producers halted production after failing to access their shambas for sugarcane following the torrential rains that damaged infrastructures.

All sugar factories stopped production due to heavy rains, though Kilombero and Kagera continued with production, since they were partially affected.

The government gave the sugar import approval to Mtibwa Sugar, Kilombero Sugar/Illovo, Bagamoyo Sugar, TPC Limited and Kagera Sugar.

Currently, sugar prices in some parts of Tanzania have soared to alarming levels, ranging from Sh4,000 to Sh5,500 per kilogramme.