Tanzania: Sugar Shortage Sends Prices Soaring

What the report says

Sugar prices in Zanzibar have risen sharply, with reports from Daily News indicating that retail prices in some shops have more than doubled the official ceiling. The report, published in Dar es Salaam on 5 August 2026, said shortages were visible across markets in Zanzibar, where many outlets had little or no stock and some were selling sugar far above the government-guided price.

According to the article, the disruption is linked to delayed imports and concerns that some traders may be holding back supplies. Officials said shipping delays, including from India, have contributed to the problem, while authorities are also investigating possible hoarding and price manipulation. Zanzibar imports most of its sugar, which leaves the islands sensitive to interruptions in international supply chains.

The shortage is already affecting small businesses such as juice sellers and food vendors, who rely on sugar as an input and say their costs have increased. Traders quoted by the newspaper said they could not sell at the official rate because wholesale prices had climbed too high. The Zanzibar Fair Competition Commission warned sellers against violating price rules and said consumers should ask for receipts to help enforcement. The government and importers said additional supplies are expected, while Mahonda Sugar Factory continues producing, though not enough to meet demand.

In a broader sense, the report highlights how reliance on imports can quickly translate into consumer price spikes when logistics are disrupted.