Value of Kenyan Imports and Exports by Country and Region – Kenya Trade Statistics

Every year, part of Kenya’s trade with other countries involves buying goods that they sell to us as imports while selling them the goods we produce as exports. 

Imports are goods produced or manufactured in other countries and then sold to us. On the other hand, exports are goods we produce locally and sell to foreign countries.

Balance of trade (BOT) is the difference between a country’s imports and exports in a given year.^[1]

When a country imports more than it exports, that country is said to have a negative balance of trade or a trade deficit.^[2] 

Quick Facts

1. The total value of Kenyan imports in 2023 was Ksh 2.6 trillion.^[3]
2. The total value of Kenyan exports in 2023 was Ksh 1 trillion. 
3. Kenya’s imports from China were valued at Ksh 459 billion in 2023.
4. Kenya’s exports to Uganda were valued at Ksh 126.3 billion in 2023.
5. Kenya’s exports to East African countries were valued at Ksh 305.9 billion in 2023.
6. Kenya’s imports from the Far East and Asia were valued at Ksh 1.1 trillion in 2023.

The total value of Kenyan imports and exports

In 2023, the total value of Kenyan imports amounted to Ksh 2.6 trillion. On the other hand, the total value of Kenyan exports rose to Ksh 1 trillion in the same year.

Between 2019 and 2023, the value of Kenyan imports grew by 30.9%, while the value of Kenyan exports increased by 39.1%.

Asia and the Far East Countries accounted for the highest value of Kenyan imports.

Kenya mainly imports its goods from Asian countries. In 2023, the value of Kenyan imports from Asia and the Far East was Ksh 1.12 trillion.

The Middle East accounted for 616.3 billion worth of Kenyan imports, while Western Europe accounted for 303.2 billion worth of imports. 

America accounted for the lowest value of Kenyan imports at Ksh 3.1 billion, followed by Australia and Oceania at Ksh 14.4 billion.

East Africa was Kenya’s largest export destination

Kenya mainly exports goods to its neighbors, with the value of Kenyan exports to the East African Region at Ksh 305.9 billion. 

Western Europe was Kenya's second-largest export destination, with exports valued at Ksh 216.9 billion in 2023.

America was Kenya's smallest export destination, valued at Ksh 2.3 billion, followed by Australia and Oceania, each valued at Ksh 3.9 billion.

Uganda was Kenya’s most valuable export destination

Kenya mainly exports to Uganda, its closest neighbor. In 2023, the value of goods exported to Uganda was Ksh 126.3 billion.

The top ten most valuable export destinations for Kenyan goods include:

1. Uganda 126.3 billion
2. Pakistan 78.9 billion
3. Netherlands 76.3 billion
4. Tanzania 69.3 billion
5. USA 64.3 billion
6. UAE 55.9 billion
7. United Kingdom 54.7 billion
8. Rwanda 42.3 billion
9. South Sudan 32 billion
10. Egypt 31.2 billion

Other major export destinations include China, which has a value of Ksh 29 billion; the DRC, which has a value of Ksh 26.4 billion; Somalia, which has a value of Ksh 21.6 billion; and Ethiopia, which has a value of Ksh 18.8 billion.

The total value of Kenyan imports by country

The chart below shows the value of Kenyan imports by country in 2023. China accounted for the largest value of Kenyan imports at Ksh 459 billion.

The top ten countries of Kenyan imports include:

1. China 459 billion
2. UAE 411.5 billion
3. India 269.2 billion
4. Saudi Arabia 145.2 billion
5. Malaysia 120.5 billion
6. USA 112.8 billion
7. Japan 97.5 billion
8. Russia 82.7 billion
9. South Africa 76.8 billion
10. Tanzania 43.7 billion

Other major sources of Kenyan imports were the Netherlands, at Ksh 43.7 billion; Indonesia, at Ksh 41.2 billion; Uganda, at Ksh 41.2 billion; and the United Kingdom, which at Ksh 40.9 billion.

Balance of trade and trade deficits by country

The Balance of Trade (BOP) is the difference between a country’s imports and its exports.

A negative balance of trade means that a country imports more than it exports. This is also called the trade deficit.

Kenya has a positive balance of trade with nine countries. This means that the value of Kenyan exports to these countries is higher than imports. These countries include:

1. Uganda 85.1 billion
2. Pakistan 53 billion
3. Rwanda 37.5 billion
4. Netherlands 32.6 billion
5. Tanzania 25.6 billion
6. The United Kingdom 13.8 billion
7. Zambia 2.8 billion
8. Iran 2.7 billion
9. Jordan 2.7 billion

Kenya has massive trade deficits with China, the United Arab Emirates, India, Saudi Arabia, and Japan. The value of Kenyan imports from these countries was much higher than the value of exports, leading to trade deficits.

Value of imports and exports to the United States and China

The United States and China are critical global economies, both having immense influence on international trade.

In 2023, the value of China's imports to Kenya was Ksh 459 billion. In contrast, Kenya exported goods worth Ksh 29 billion to China. 

On the other hand, the value of American imports to Kenya was Ksh 112.8 billion. In 2023, Kenya exported goods worth 64.3 billion to the United States.

See Also

1. Percentage of the population in Kenya employed in agriculture, services, and industry
2. Working population in Kenya by county and gender
3. Financial inclusion and exclusion in Kenya
4. Kenya Gross Domestic Product – Kenya GDP
5. Kenya Gross National Income – Kenya GNI

References