Tanzania targets sugar self-sufficiency by 2030, plans first surplus exports
Tanzania’s sugar industry is expanding through new industrial production, mill upgrades and greater participation by small-scale sugarcane farmers.
TANZANIA – Tanzania aims to achieve sugar self-sufficiency by 2030 and begin exporting surplus sugar from the 2026-27 season as the country expands domestic production and reduces reliance on imports.
The Tanzania Sugar Board (SBT) outlined the plans during the Nane Nane 2026 agricultural exhibition in Morogoro, highlighting investments in modern farming technology and sugar industry expansion.
SBT Director of Planning Violeta Mwayela said domestic sugar production had reached 410,979 tonnes by April 2026, compared with annual demand of about 550,000 tonnes. The country’s sugar mills have combined production capacity of approximately 800,000 tonnes annually.
Mwayela said Tanzania expects to export surplus sugar during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, supported by expanded mill capacity and stronger agricultural extension services for small-scale farmers.
Mkulazi Holding Company has started producing industrial white sugar, becoming the first facility in Tanzania to manufacture the specialised product, according to the SBT. Tanzania previously imported about 300,000 tonnes of industrial sugar annually, putting pressure on foreign exchange reserves.
The government is also expanding production through Kilombero Sugar Company’s K4 project, which is expected to increase annual capacity from 123,000 tonnes to 226,000 tonnes.
The SBT has brought about 12,000 small-scale sugarcane farmers in the Kilombero area into the sugar value chain. Outgrower farmers currently account for about 40% of Tanzania’s total sugarcane supply.
Mwayela said the expansion of production, farmer support and investment in processing capacity would support Tanzania’s plans to meet domestic demand and generate surplus sugar for export.
The SBT regulates and coordinates the sugar industry and works with farmers and mills on contracts, pricing and other aspects of sugarcane production as the sector expands toward the 2030 self-sufficiency target.
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