Cabbages market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the cabbage market in Kenya showed strong and steady growth. The market volume increased from 674 thousand tons to 1 382 thousand tons, while its value rose from $558 million to $1 307 million. This expansion occurred across both production and overall market size.

The trend reversed in 2023, with the market volume falling to 1 004 thousand tons and its value dropping to $1 021 million. This decline marked a significant contraction following several years of consecutive growth.

In 2024, severe heavy rainfall and waterlogging destroyed cabbage crops in key growing regions, sharply reducing supply and causing prices to surge. At the same time, increased consumer demand driven by a shift towards healthier, plant-based diets and a preference for fresh, locally grown produce continued to shape market conditions, while farmers faced challenges from high input costs and logistical difficulties in the supply chain.

Production cabbages in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Kenya ranked 13th globally in cabbage production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of cabbages, 2017-2020

World map of production of cabbages, 2017-2020

Kenya's cabbage production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 943.6 thousand tonnes of cabbages, marking a solid 13.8% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 23.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 7.3%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 674.3 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 11.8%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, reaching 23.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cabbage production in Kenya increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 012 million US dollars, representing a steep 35.2% uptick compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 48.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 558 million US dollars, when the largest decline of 18.0% was observed.

Annual dynamics of production in Kenya in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cabbages from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Kenya's cross-border shipments of cabbages amounted to 453.9 tonnes, which is 50.9% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 57.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 16.4%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Somalia accounted for 77.0% of Kenya's total cabbage exports in kind, while the remaining flows were distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Cabbage exports from Kenya increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Kenya exported 487.0 thousand US dollars worth of cabbages, showing a 79.3% rise year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 89.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Somalia and the United Kingdom remained the key partner countries for Kenya's cabbage exports in value terms, together accounting for 87.6% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Kenya in value, 2017-2020

Imports cabbages to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Import volumes peaked in 2018 and bottomed out in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 56 times. In 2020, Kenya imported 0.1 tonnes of cabbages, showing a 93.3% loss compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 5.1 tonnes, when the largest increase of 178.8% occurred.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China (28.9% of imports in kind), Belgium (23.1% of imports in kind), and Italy (18.2% of imports in kind) were the primary suppliers of cabbages to Kenya, jointly accounting for 70.2% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Cabbage imports into Kenya declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 0.1 thousand US dollars, constituting an abrupt 96.3% decline compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 98.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 75.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (51.5% of imports in value terms), the Netherlands (14.9% of imports in value terms), and Belgium (10.5% of imports in value terms) remained the leading destinations in Kenya's import structure in value terms, with a combined share of 76.9% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Kenya in value, 2017-2020