• Super Admin
• 07 Mar, 2026

This follows the November 2025 formal launch of a dedicated sugar-free gum production line. MARS Wrigley Kenya has scaled-up its sugar-free gum operations at its Athi River facility as it expands exports across Africa and the Middle East. This follows the November 2025 formal launch of a dedicated sugar-free gum production line. The firm is part of American multinational manufacturer of confectionery, pet food and food products Mars, Incorporated, the world's leading manufacturer of chocolate, chewing gum, mints and fruity confections. Athi River facility is Mars Wrigley's only sugar-free gum manufacturing site in Africa, positioning Kenya as a strategic export base for serving fast-growing demand for sugar-free gum. The company yesterday said exports from the Athi River site are already reaching Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. With expansion into new markets, it projects its export value will appreciate further to cover 61 per cent of total value, with exports now accounting for 90 per cent of Athi River plant sugar-free gum output. Export footprint will be expanded beyond the established markets, into Libya, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon, Rwanda, South Africa, Burundi and Nigeria. Building on the more than $70 million (Sh9 billion )already deployed in Kenya and the company's plan to invest an additional $33 million (Sh4.3 billion) over the next three years, the manufacturer said Kenya made sugar-free gum is now reaching a broader set of export markets. This supports the country's position as an increasingly competitive regional manufacturing hub for gum. "By growing exports from our Athi River site, we are demonstrating what Kenyan manufacturing can achieve at global standards," Mars Wrigley Kenya plant director, Mustaffa Bin Kamaludin, said. "This expansion reflects rising demand for sugar-free gum and our commitment to serving customers across Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East with high-quality products made in Kenya." The Athi River facility is producing an export portfolio that includes Sugar-free individually wrapped tab gum, peppermint and mixed fruit variants. Further, the company plans to introduce more sugar-free 10-pellet pack variants. Mars Wrigley has reiterated its long-term commitment to Kenya, anchored by the Athi River manufacturing facility. The company currently supports over 3,500 direct and indirect jobs and is continuing to invest in capabilities to support growth and export competitiveness. Source: https://www.the-star.co.ke/business/2026-03-07-mars-wrigley-expands-gum-exports-to-middle-east