This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
Kenya's exports to the Far East have emerged as a significant market, accounting for 29.5 percent of the country's total exports in 2018.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics' Final Economic Survey 2018, published on November 5, 2019, total export earnings rose by 3.2 percent to KSh612.9 billion in 2018.
Asian Markets ¶
Exports to Asia grew by 11.4 percent, amounting to KSh180.9 billion, with the Far East accounting for 64.8 percent (KSh117.2 billion) of total exports to the Asian region.
Notably, exports to India, China, Thailand, and Afghanistan showed significant improvements, with domestic exports of dried leguminous vegetables to India growing fivefold and exports of aluminum waste and wool recording notable growth.
Pakistan Remains a Key Market ¶
Despite a decline in earnings from KSh 64.1 billion in 2017 to KSh 59.4 billion in 2018, Pakistan remains the biggest export market for Kenya, largely due to a 7.5 percent decline in the value of tea exports.
Middle East Exports Surge ¶
On the other hand, the value of exports to the Middle East recorded a 24 percent growth to KSh 63.7 billion, driven by an increase in exports to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
The growth in export earnings from the UAE was largely due to a 5.2 percent increase in tea exports, while re-exports of jet fuel to UAE more than doubled from KSh 5.0 billion in 2017 to KSh 10.9 billion in 2018.
European Union Exports ¶
The Eurozone accounted for 21.4 percent of total exports in 2018, amounting to Ksh131.2 billion, indicating a 4.4 percent year-on-year growth.
The Netherlands and the United Kingdom were the highest earners, with KSh 46.4 billion and KSh 40.2 billion respectively, with notable exports including horticultural products and avocados.
African Exports Decline ¶
Although Africa is Kenya's biggest export market, accounting for 35.3 percent of total exports in 2018, trade declined for the third consecutive year to KSh 216.2 billion.
