Largest market shown
Not reported
$1.9B of latest reported imports and $1.4B of calculated three-year opportunity.
Importer opportunity guide
Kenya import opportunities
where to source next
Explore Kenya's import market by product, supplier concentration, demand growth, and sourcing gaps. Use reported market size and calculated indicators to decide where deeper supplier research may be useful.
Latest imports$24.3B2024 reported value
Import CAGR+3.0%Three-year reported change
GDP$120.3BLatest reported value
GDP per capita$2.1KLatest reported value
Trade openness44.0%Reported share of GDP
Kenya import opportunities
What makes this an attractive import market?
Compare market size and growth with supplier concentration. A large market may still need product, quality, tariff, logistics, and buyer validation.
Current import base
$24.3B in imports
Kenya recorded $24.3B in imports in 2024, with a three-year change of +3.0%.
How to use the guide
Compare demand with supply
Start with the highest-value products, then review supplier concentration and market conditions before choosing a sourcing route.
Import market overview
Find products where demand and sourcing options meet
This page separates reported import observations from calculated indicators so market size is not mistaken for a guaranteed sourcing opportunity.
Kenya imports products from suppliers across major trade regions. The current profile reports $24.3B of imports in 2024, while the opportunity view highlights product and supplier combinations where market demand and supply context may justify further research.
Use the opportunity table to compare product market size, demand growth, supplier counts, concentration, and projected imports. High concentration can indicate reliance on a small supplier base; it can also reflect specialized products that require careful validation.
Top import opportunities
Products and supplier context to review
The top 50 screened products are ranked by calculated three-year opportunity. Reported market values and calculated indicators are labeled separately.
| Rank | Product | Market size | Demand growth | Suppliers | Concentration | Top supplier | Projected imports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HS 271012Product description unavailable | $1.9BLatest imports | +10.4% | 34 | 3229 | AREDeclining | $2.6B |
| 2 | HS 151190Vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, other than crude, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified | $534.5MLatest imports | +13.3% | 11 | 8135 | MYSDeclining | $776.9M |
| 3 | HS 271019Product description unavailable | $1.9BLatest imports | +7.8% | 72 | 1929 | AREDeclining | $2.4B |
| 4 | HS 151110Vegetable oils: palm oil and its fractions, crude, not chemically modified | $566.8MLatest imports | +9.6% | 7 | 7386 | MYSDeclining | $745.3M |
| 5 | HS 100199Cereals: wheat and meslin, other than durum wheat, other than seed | $569.2MLatest imports | +7.8% | 12 | 6468 | RUSDeclining | $712.7M |
| 6 | HS 710812Metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder) | $225.6MLatest imports | +38.9% | 2 | 10000 | AREDeclining | $440.7M |
| 7 | HS 851712Telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks | $256.9MLatest imports | +17.4% | 85 | 7097 | CHNDeclining | $415.2M |
| 8 | HS 271113Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, butanes | $253.8MLatest imports | +22.4% | 13 | 5489 | USADeclining | $465.7M |
| 9 | HS 300490Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.s. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale | $399.2MLatest imports | +9.4% | 90 | 3699 | INDDeclining | $522.2M |
| 10 | HS 100630Cereals: rice, semi-milled or wholly milled, whether or not polished or glazed | $478.1MLatest imports | +6.1% | 23 | 3863 | PAKDeclining | $571.6M |
| 11 | HS 720839Iron or non-alloy steel: in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a width 600mm or more, hot-rolled, of a thickness of less than 3mm | $442.9MLatest imports | +9.4% | 7 | 4630 | CHNDeclining | $579.2M |
| 12 | HS 290110Acyclic hydrocarbons: saturated | $122.7MLatest imports | +33.9% | 14 | 9517 | USASlowing | $239.7M |
| 13 | HS 640299Footwear: n.e.s. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics | $152.7MLatest imports | +15.4% | 49 | 9375 | CHNDeclining | $234.5M |
| 14 | HS 871410Motorcycles (including mopeds): parts and accessories | $98.5MLatest imports | +24.7% | 37 | 8809 | CHNDeclining | $190.7M |
| 15 | HS 870323Vehicles: spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity exceeding 1500cc but not exceeding 3000cc | $176.8MLatest imports | +4.9% | 38 | 7107 | JPNDeclining | $204.1M |
| 16 | HS 390761Poly(ethylene terephthalate): in primary forms, having a viscosity of 78ml/g or higher | $105.0MLatest imports | +17.2% | 15 | 8504 | CHNDeclining | $169.1M |
| 17 | HS 420212Cases and containers: trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar containers, with outer surface of plastics or of textile materials | $100.6MLatest imports | +15.0% | 50 | 9830 | CHNDeclining | $153.0M |
| 18 | HS 270119Coal: (other than anthracite and bituminous), whether or not pulverised but not agglomerated | $97.0MLatest imports | +29.0% | 5 | 5943 | ZAFSlowing | $189.5M |
| 19 | HS 271600Electrical energy | $104.4MLatest imports | +15.7% | 3 | 6705 | ETHDeclining | $161.8M |
| 20 | HS 711319Jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof | $79.8MLatest imports | +16.6% | 27 | 9975 | AREDeclining | $126.4M |
| 21 | HS 401120Rubber: new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorries | $115.1MLatest imports | +8.4% | 30 | 7177 | CHNDeclining | $146.6M |
| 22 | HS 940540Lamps and light fittings: electric, n.e.s. in heading no. 9405 | $83.9MLatest imports | +15.7% | 62 | 8850 | CHNStable | $130.0M |
| 23 | HS 630900Clothing: worn, and other worn articles | $201.7MLatest imports | +7.8% | 122 | 2793 | CHNDeclining | $252.6M |
| 24 | HS 620462Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted) | $61.9MLatest imports | +26.6% | 39 | 9644 | CHNDeclining | $120.8M |
| 25 | HS 871000Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles: motorised, whether or not fitted with weapons, and parts of such vehicles | $102.9MLatest imports | +31.6% | 4 | 4794 | ZAFSlowing | $201.0M |
| 26 | HS 330210Odoriferous substances and mixtures: of a kind used in the food or drink industries | $101.5MLatest imports | +14.0% | 46 | 5200 | SWZDeclining | $150.3M |
| 27 | HS 870340Vehicles: with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power | $57.8MLatest imports | +27.6% | 13 | 8658 | JPNDeclining | $113.0M |
| 28 | HS 310530Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: diammonium hydrogenorthophosphate (diammonium phosphate) | $121.9MLatest imports | +10.1% | 6 | 5406 | SAUDeclining | $162.5M |
| 29 | HS 851762Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus | $152.7MLatest imports | +13.0% | 72 | 2552 | CHNDeclining | $220.4M |
| 30 | HS 880240Aeroplanes and other aircraft: of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg | $98.6MLatest imports | +6.5% | 10 | 6856 | USADeclining | $119.2M |
| 31 | HS 740811Copper: wire, of refined copper, of which the maximum cross-sectional dimension exceeds 6mm | $67.0MLatest imports | +15.2% | 9 | 8922 | AREDeclining | $102.4M |
| 32 | HS 690490Ceramic flooring blocks, supports or filler tiles and the like (excluding building bricks) | $49.3MLatest imports | +29.5% | 10 | 9887 | CHNSlowing | $96.4M |
| 33 | HS 870120Tractors: road, for semi-trailers | $103.6MLatest imports | +10.3% | 24 | 4985 | CHNDeclining | $138.8M |
| 34 | HS 271112Petroleum gases and other gaseous hydrocarbons: liquefied, propane | $61.5MLatest imports | +19.7% | 4 | 8202 | USADeclining | $105.3M |
| 35 | HS 390210Propylene, other olefin polymers: polypropylene in primary forms | $166.4MLatest imports | +13.2% | 30 | 2824 | SAUDeclining | $241.5M |
| 36 | HS 870333Vehicles: compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity exceeding 2500cc | $101.0MLatest imports | +9.1% | 31 | 5325 | JPNDeclining | $131.1M |
| 37 | HS 540752Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, dyed | $68.6MLatest imports | +17.8% | 20 | 6951 | CHNDeclining | $112.2M |
| 38 | HS 240220Cigarettes: containing tobacco | $65.8MLatest imports | +14.5% | 43 | 8185 | AREDeclining | $98.7M |
| 39 | HS 940390Furniture: parts | $57.2MLatest imports | +16.5% | 45 | 9053 | CHNDeclining | $90.4M |
| 40 | HS 870322Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc | $79.4MLatest imports | +4.3% | 27 | 8779 | JPNSlowing | $90.2M |
| 41 | HS 310520Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium | $79.5MLatest imports | +5.4% | 22 | 7665 | RUSDeclining | $93.1M |
| 42 | HS 600632Fabrics: knitted or crocheted fabrics, other than those of headings 60.01 to 60.04, of synthetic fibres, dyed | $72.0MLatest imports | +39.6% | 19 | 4523 | CHNDeclining | $140.6M |
| 43 | HS 841191Turbines: parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers | $60.8MLatest imports | +14.7% | 20 | 7134 | AREDeclining | $91.6M |
| 44 | HS 852872Reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus: incorporating a colour video display or screen | $76.8MLatest imports | +13.0% | 80 | 5369 | CHNSlowing | $110.7M |
| 45 | HS 040120Dairy produce: milk and cream, not concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, of a fat content exceeding 1% but not exceeding 6% (by weight) | $38.4MLatest imports | +27.7% | 6 | 9910 | UGADeclining | $75.1M |
| 46 | HS 850760Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square) | $47.2MLatest imports | +24.8% | 42 | 6265 | CHNSlowing | $91.7M |
| 47 | HS 860699Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons: n.e.s. in heading no. 8606, not self-propelled | $38.1MLatest imports | +51.7% | 2 | 9992 | CHNStable | $74.5M |
| 48 | HS 270112Coal: bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated | $40.2MLatest imports | +45.3% | 3 | 8130 | ZAFDeclining | $78.5M |
| 49 | HS 390120Ethylene polymers: in primary forms, polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more | $119.3MLatest imports | +6.3% | 30 | 2785 | SAUDeclining | $143.4M |
| 50 | HS 300220Vaccines: for human medicine | $114.4MLatest imports | +13.9% | 21 | 2537 | INDDeclining | $169.0M |
Showing the five highest-ranked products on mobile. View the complete import opportunity data.
Product sectors
Which sectors carry the most demand?
HS2 sectors group the screened products into broader families for an easier first comparison.
| Sector | Products | Market size | Opportunity | Average growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS2 sector 00HS2 00 | 2 | $3.8B | $2.0B | +9.1% |
| Animal and vegetable fatsHS2 15 | 2 | $1.1B | $1.3B | +11.4% |
| CerealsHS2 10 | 2 | $1.0B | $857.1M | +7.0% |
| VehiclesHS2 87 | 7 | $720.0M | $842.5M | +16.1% |
| Mineral fuelsHS2 27 | 5 | $556.9M | $767.2M | +26.4% |
| Electrical equipmentHS2 85 | 4 | $533.6M | $593.0M | +17.0% |
| Precious stones and metalsHS2 71 | 2 | $305.4M | $566.9M | +27.7% |
| Pharmaceutical productsHS2 30 | 2 | $513.6M | $380.3M | +11.6% |
| PlasticsHS2 39 | 3 | $390.6M | $320.1M | +12.3% |
| Iron and steelHS2 72 | 1 | $442.9M | $278.7M | +9.4% |
| Organic chemicalsHS2 29 | 1 | $122.7M | $233.8M | +33.9% |
| FootwearHS2 64 | 1 | $152.7M | $227.0M | +15.4% |
Supply gaps
Where supplier concentration deserves attention
The concentration index helps identify products where reported imports rely more heavily on a smaller supplier base. It is a screening signal, not a recommendation by itself.
| Product | Market size | Suppliers | Concentration | Top supplier | Share gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 710812Metals: gold, non-monetary, unwrought (but not powder) | $225.6M | 2 | 10000 | ARE | 100.0% |
| HS 860699Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons: n.e.s. in heading no. 8606, not self-propelled | $38.1M | 2 | 9992 | CHN | 96.2% |
| HS 711319Jewellery: of precious metal (excluding silver) whether or not plated or clad with precious metal, and parts thereof | $79.8M | 27 | 9975 | ARE | 99.9% |
| HS 040120Dairy produce: milk and cream, not concentrated, not containing added sugar or other sweetening matter, of a fat content exceeding 1% but not exceeding 6% (by weight) | $38.4M | 6 | 9910 | UGA | 99.6% |
| HS 690490Ceramic flooring blocks, supports or filler tiles and the like (excluding building bricks) | $49.3M | 10 | 9887 | CHN | 99.4% |
| HS 420212Cases and containers: trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar containers, with outer surface of plastics or of textile materials | $100.6M | 50 | 9830 | CHN | 99.1% |
| HS 620462Trousers, bib and brace overalls, breeches and shorts: women's or girls', of cotton (not knitted or crocheted) | $61.9M | 39 | 9644 | CHN | 98.2% |
| HS 290110Acyclic hydrocarbons: saturated | $122.7M | 14 | 9517 | USA | 97.5% |
Supplier landscape
Which supplier markets appear most often?
These supplier names come from the leading peer signal in the screened opportunity rows and should be validated at product level.
ARE
United Arab Emirates
7 screened products
$2.9BCalculated opportunity across these rowsCHN
China
19 screened products
$2.6BCalculated opportunity across these rowsMYS
Malaysia
2 screened products
$1.3BCalculated opportunity across these rowsUSA
USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands
4 screened products
$764.3MCalculated opportunity across these rowsRUS
Russia
2 screened products
$648.7MCalculated opportunity across these rowsJPN
Japan
4 screened products
$455.2MCalculated opportunity across these rowsIND
India
2 screened products
$380.3MCalculated opportunity across these rowsZAF
South Africa
3 screened products
$319.4MCalculated opportunity across these rowsFrequently asked questions
Using the Kenya import opportunity index
Definitions and practical guidance for interpreting market size, growth, suppliers, and concentration.
What are the import opportunities?
They are product and supplier combinations in Kenya's screened import market with substantial reported demand and calculated opportunity indicators. They are research priorities, not guaranteed savings or supply contracts.
What does supplier concentration mean?
The concentration index indicates how much reported imports rely on a smaller supplier base. A high value can suggest supply dependence, but it can also reflect specialized products or limited reporting.
How should sourcing teams use this page?
Start with products that fit your specification and volume needs, then validate suppliers, tariffs, standards, logistics, pricing, and continuity for Kenya.
Data source
OECD trade statistics with CEPII context
OECD (2025), Balanced international merchandise trade statistics (BIMTS) - HS2017-6D, OECD Data Explorer (accessed on 2026-08-30). OECD BIMTS is the primary trade series for this view. Supporting bilateral trade context uses CEPII BACI bilateral trade flows (202601) under Etalab 2.0 Open Licence. Yugalinks presents derived views of reported observations and calculated indicators. Data terms: OECD Terms & Conditions.