Sugar — VHP and Raws
Specification
VHP (Very High Polarisation) and raw cane sugar are the industrial cane-refining feedstock — the input for Kenyan refiners and processors that operate their own raw-to-refined capacity. Distinct from Icumsa-45 (premium-retail-grade).
| Characteristic | VHP (typical) | Raws (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Polarisation | ≥ 99.4° | 96–99.0° |
| ICUMSA colour | 600–1,200 IU | 1,200–4,500 IU |
| Moisture | ≤ 0.10% | ≤ 0.50% |
| Ash content | ≤ 0.20% | ≤ 0.40% |
| Reducing sugars | ≤ 0.20% | ≤ 0.50% |
| Granulation | Crystalline | Crystalline |
| Packing | Bulk vessel or 50-kg / 1,000-kg bags | Bulk vessel typical |
VHP is the dominant trade-grade for cane-refining-feedstock flow into Sub-Saharan Africa; raws sit a step below in polarisation and are typically bulk-vessel.
Origin
Brazil — FOB Santos. Brazil is the world's largest sugar exporter; Santos is the principal sugar-export port. Sub-Saharan African cane-refining buyers source predominantly Brazilian VHP and raws.
Loadports & Transit
| Mode | Port / Route | Inspector |
|---|---|---|
| Sea | FOB Santos, Brazil | SGS / Cotecna / Intertek |
Brazil → Mombasa transit ~28–35 days via Cape of Good Hope (Suez routing impractical for South-Atlantic / East-African flow).
Volume
12,500–50,000 MT per shipment.
Delivery Terms
FOB / CFR / CIF Mombasa.
Payment
Buyer's bank issues; seller's bank advises or — where required — confirms. Sarpah is not on the instrument chain.
Standard: DLC under UCP 600 with charter-party B/L (Article 22 + ISBP 821 G6–G11) for bulk vessel; SBLC under ISP98 / URDG 758 for multi-shipment frame contracts; MT103 prepayment with APG under URDG 758 for factory-direct cargo.
Buyer Universe
Kenyan cane-refining capacity sits at Kibos Sugar & Allied Industries (Kisumu), Mumias Sugar Company (operational status subject to ongoing receivership / lease arrangements), KISCOL (Kwale International Sugar Company Limited) and other licensed refiners under Kenya Sugar Board oversight. VHP and raws are also imported under KNTC framework procurement during gazetted deficit windows.
Compliance Stack
- Kenya Sugar Board (KSB) — import permit and quota framework under the Sugar Act, 2024. KSB licenses millers, refiners and importers.
- EAC Common External Tariff 2022: HS 1701.13 / 1701.14 (raw cane sugar) — sugar is on the EAC sensitive items list at 100% or USD 460/MT, whichever is higher, with periodic Kenya stays and quota allocations during gazetted deficit windows.
- Sugar Development Levy: 4% of CIF on imports, effective 1 July 2025 under The Sugar (Sugar Development Levy) Order, 2025 (LN 113/2025) under the Sugar Act 2024.
- VAT: standard 16% on sugar (industrial and retail).
- KEBS PVoC: Route A inspection at Santos by SGS / Cotecna / Intertek; CoC issued before sailing.
- AFA Sugar Directorate licensing (which co-exists with the Kenya Sugar Board under the Sugar Act 2024).
Procurement Profile
- Cane refiners with domestic raw-to-refined capacity sourcing VHP / raws as industrial feedstock at deficit-window pricing
- KNTC framework procurement during gazetted deficit windows
- Larger food-processor refiners with internal refining capacity, where the economics support raw rather than Icumsa-45 imports
Talk to us
For an introduction, share refining capacity, target shipment window, polarisation specification (VHP vs raws), and your bank's preferred confirmation route.