Edible brassicas market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the Kenyan market for fresh or chilled edible brassicas expanded consistently, with market volume rising from 679 thousand tons to 1 379 thousand tons. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and its continued effects in 2021 influenced supply chains and demand, contributing to growth in physical volume while market value fluctuated. This period culminated in a peak production of 1 383 thousand tons in 2022.

A sharp contraction occurred in 2023, with market volume falling to 1 002 thousand tons and value dropping to 2 341 million US dollars. During this time, new market segments emerged focusing on traditional and indigenous vegetables, and the Horticultural Crops Directorate improved export compliance protocols. By 2024, amendments to The Crops (Food Crops) Regulations and the proposed Horticultural Crops Authority Bill established an updated regulatory framework, supporting market recovery through increased harvested area and production volumes after the previous decline.

Production edible brassicas in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Kenya ranked 16th globally in edible brassicas production from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

World map of production of edible brassicas, 2017-2020

Edible brassicas production in Kenya grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Kenya produced 944.5 thousand tonnes of edible brassicas, marking a strong year-over-year increase of 13.7%. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 22.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 680.1 thousand tonnes, representing the largest decline of 11.5% that year. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, with production surging by 22.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of edible brassicas in Kenya was valued at 2 343 million US dollars, showing a solid decrease of 14.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 15.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 940 million US dollars, while the maximum value occurred in 2019 at 2 745 million US dollars. The largest increase in value was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 41.5%.

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

Exports edible brassicas from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Export volumes varied 2.3 times from the low in 2017 to the high in 2019. In 2020, edible brassicas volumes leaving Kenya were recorded at 1 415 tonnes, indicating a substantial contraction of 17.9% year-over-year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 724 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 75.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and Somalia were the dominant buyers of edible brassicas from Kenya, together accounting for 80.1% of total exports in kind. Other destinations each held relatively small shares.

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 showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Export values fluctuated 2.9 times from the low in 2017 to the high in 2019. In 2020, the value of edible brassicas leaving Kenya stood at 3 509 thousand US dollars, down by 38.4% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 5 698 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 89.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands were the dominant destinations for exports in value terms of edible brassicas from Kenya, jointly accounting for 83.5% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports edible brassicas to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 4.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, the volume of edible brassicas imports into Kenya came to 3 tonnes, showing a steep drop of 77.1% compared with 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 11 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring that year at 13.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (54.1% of imports in kind), Belgium (19.0% of imports in kind), and China (10.9% of imports in kind) were the leading sources in the country structure of imports in kind, with a combined share of 84.0% 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

Kenya imported a total of 7 thousand US dollars of edible brassicas in 2020, showing a decline of 65.3% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 58.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 25.4%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 21 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring that year at 50.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (47.2% of imports in value terms), Italy (19.7% of imports in value terms), and Belgium (14.9% of imports in value terms) were the main markets for imports in value terms, together accounting for 81.7% 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