Coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions in Kenya experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Starting at 30 496 т in 2018, it dropped sharply to 18 983 т in 2019, then stabilized near 19 000 т in 2020. A recovery to 21 109 т followed in 2021, before another decline to 15 473 т in 2022 and a partial rebound to 17 938 т in 2023.

Export prices for palm oil from Kenya showed notable movements during this period, falling from $0.69 per kg in 2018 to $0.61 in 2019, then rising to $0.74 in 2020 and reaching $1.18 in 2021. These price shifts likely influenced trade dynamics and domestic production decisions, with local output rising to 6 000 т in 2021 and 2022 before contracting to 2 524 т in 2023.

Kenya's role as a major importer within Africa shaped the market structure, with Malaysia remaining the largest supplier of palm kernel and babassu oil. The country accounted for a significant share of African imports, alongside Egypt and South Africa, highlighting its dependence on international supply chains.

Production coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Kenya's production of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 5 307 tonnes, showing minimal change from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 19.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.2%.

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

Exports coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017, then peaked in 2018—a swing of 5.6 times between these years. In 2020, Kenya's exports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions totaled 108 tonnes, down 61.7% year-over-year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 311 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 463.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Zambia, Uganda, and Yemen were the primary markets for Kenya's exports in kind, accounting for 69.0% of total flows. Zambia led with 29.5% of exports, followed by Uganda at 26.8%, and Yemen at 12.7%.

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

Market performance showed notable fluctuations over the period. Export values varied 4.3 times, from a low in 2017 to a high in 2019. In 2020, Kenya's exports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions amounted to 247 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 59.2% from the previous year. The peak value was 605 thousand US dollars in 2019, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 144.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, Uganda, Yemen, and Zambia remained the top destinations for Kenya's exports in value terms, together representing 53.8% of total flows. Uganda accounted for 18.5% of exports, Yemen for 18.0%, and Zambia for 17.3%.

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, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

Market behavior was volatile in these years. Imports fluctuated 2.5 times, reaching their lowest level in 2017 and peaking in 2018. In 2020, Kenya's imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions stood at 13 940 tonnes, showing little change from 2019. The maximum volume was 25 727 tonnes in 2018. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 45.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 152.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia dominated Kenya's imports in kind of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions, holding a 92.5% share of total 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

In 2020, Kenya's imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions from abroad totaled 11 603 thousand US dollars, up 18.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.8%, with an average annual decline of 5.6%. The minimum value was 9 803 thousand US dollars in 2019, while the maximum was 22 299 thousand US dollars in 2018. The largest drop was in 2019 at 56.0%, and the largest rise was in 2018 at 61.8%.

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

Over 2017-2020, Kenya's import structure showed a strong reliance on Indonesia, which accounted for 91.8% of total imports in value terms for coconut, palm kernel, or babassu 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