By NATION CORRESPONDENT

Sugar millers are bracing for continued sugarcane shortages and some are reviewing cane prices upwards, to motivate growers.

Mumias Sugar increased the price of sugarcane per tonne by Sh710 last week, bringing it to Sh4,185.45 from Sh3,475. Farmers welcomed the news but appealed to the miller to increase the price further to at least Sh10,000 per tonne, arguing that it was possible since sugar prices had risen by over 100 per cent.

Players in the industry have been urging millers to review their prices to make them commensurate with the work farmers do. Kenya Sugar Board director representing Mumias zone, Billy Wanjala, welcomed the gesture by Mumias and urged other millers to follow suit. â€Å"However, there should be no reverse in the current price increment by the millers since such a move will discourage growers,â€Â� he said.

West Kenya Sugar was still paying farmers Sh3,700 per tonne, up from Sh3,552, while Butali Sugar price remained at Sh3,600 up from Sh3,400 and Nzoia Sugar at Sh3,400 up from Sh3, 100. Mr Wanjala said millers have no option but to continue reviewing cane prices upwards trend â€Å"so that they win over the growers once again.â€Â�