Coconut oil and fractions market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

The coconut oil market in Kenya expanded from a volume of 5 856 t in 2018 to a peak of 6 466 t in 2022, driven by a consistent rise in domestic production from 5 080 t to 6 000 t over the same period. This growth was underpinned by government recommendations in 2018 to fund farmer education and extension services, improve access to credit for input purchases, and support research on pest control and agronomic technologies, all aimed at increasing coconut yields and strengthening the local supply base.

After several years of growth, the market volume contracted sharply to 4 158 t in 2023, primarily due to a significant drop in production to 2 524 t. Imports increased to 1 708 t but could not compensate for the reduced domestic output. In 2024, ongoing characterization studies on local coconut oil varieties and extraction methods, along with the promotion of organic virgin coconut oil by companies like Cocopure, align with a broader government policy targeting self-sufficiency and import substitution for oil crops, though full production data for the year is not yet available.

Production coconut oil and fractions in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya ranked 28th globally in the production of coconut oil and fractions.

Top producers of coconut oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconut oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Kenya's production of coconut oil and fractions grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 5 307 tonnes, remaining largely stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.2%.

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

Exports coconut oil and fractions from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. Import levels varied significantly, with a 3.1-fold difference between the low of 36.1 tonnes in 2018 and the high of 113.7 tonnes in 2019. In 2020, Kenya's exports of coconut oil and fractions totaled 55.1 tonnes, a 51.6% decrease from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 215.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main buyers of Kenya's coconut oil and fractions were Yemen, accounting for 37.0% of exports in kind, the United States at 19.3%, and the Netherlands at 12.0%. Together, these three countries made up 68.3% of total exports in kind.

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

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 79 000 US dollars and peaked in 2019 at 442 000 US dollars, showing a 5.6-fold gap. In 2020, Kenya's export volume of coconut oil and fractions was 185 000 US dollars, representing a sharp decline of 58.3% from the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a surge of 461.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Yemen, the United States, and the Netherlands were the core markets for Kenya's exports in value terms, with shares of 28.4%, 26.4%, and 15.5%, respectively. Combined, they accounted for 70.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports coconut oil and fractions to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

The data indicates irregular changes, suggesting a volatile market environment. Import volumes dropped to a minimum of 138.7 tonnes in 2019 and climbed to a maximum of 812.2 tonnes in 2018, a 5.9-fold shift. In 2020, Kenya imported 341.3 tonnes of coconut oil and fractions, reflecting a sharp rise of 146.2% year-over-year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 82.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Mozambique were the primary sources for Kenya's imports in kind, with shares of 36.9%, 21.9%, and 17.2%, respectively. Together, they represented 75.9% of total import flows.

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

Volatility marked the market behavior in these years. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2019 at 191 000 US dollars and hit their maximum in 2018 at 1 080 000 US dollars, a variation of 5.7 times. In 2020, Kenya's import volume of coconut oil and fractions stood at 315 000 US dollars, showing a sharp gain of 65.2% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, with a decrease of 82.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 107.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Indonesia, Mozambique, and Vietnam—collectively accounted for 77.0% of Kenya's total imports in value terms for coconut oil and fractions.

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

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