Grapefruit juice market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Kenyan grapefruit juice market showed considerable volatility in volume. It reached a peak of 322 thousand liters in 2019 before falling to 268 thousand liters in 2020. A dramatic contraction to 134 thousand liters occurred in 2021, largely because exports surged to 150 thousand liters that year, reducing domestic availability. A partial recovery followed in 2022, with the market volume rising to 199 thousand liters, but it declined again to 155 thousand liters in 2023.

The broader horticultural sector, a key source of raw materials, operated under evolving conditions. In 2019, the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya launched a strategic plan addressing challenges like stringent clearance processes, multiple taxations, and trade restrictions that could affect fruit supply chains and competitiveness. These structural factors provided context for the market's operating environment during the period.

By 2024, import volumes rebounded to 59 thousand liters following a near-total drop in 2023, while exports fell to 18 thousand liters. Several developments pointed to potential future shifts, including government plans for stricter farm regulations, a national strategy to reduce high post-harvest fruit losses, and tighter EU pesticide regulations affecting horticulture exports, all of which could influence supply and market access for juice production.

Production grapefruit juice in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

Top producers of grapefruit juice, 2017-2020

World map of production of grapefruit juice, 2017-2020

Kenya's grapefruit juice production saw growth for two consecutive years before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 148.6 thousand liters. However, in 2020, it fell to 131.0 thousand liters, marking an 11.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production increased by 13.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 20.5%.

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

Exports grapefruit juice from Kenya

Exports in kind, K l

The export market for grapefruit juice from Kenya has shown considerable volatility. In 2018, exports hit their lowest point at 1.8 thousand liters. The following year, in 2019, they surged to 4.1 thousand liters, representing a 130.1% increase and the highest level in the period. By 2020, exports dropped to 1.9 thousand liters, which was 52.4% lower than in 2019. Overall, exports varied by 2.3 times between the low in 2018 and the high in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya's grapefruit juice exports were concentrated among three main buyers. The Democratic Republic of the Congo was the largest destination, accounting for 57.1% of exports in volume. Rwanda followed with 13.7%, and Uganda with 11.6%. Together, these three countries represented 82.4% of Kenya's total grapefruit juice exports during this period.

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

Export values for grapefruit juice from Kenya experienced significant fluctuations. In 2019, they peaked at 3.4 thousand US dollars, but in 2020, they fell sharply to 1.1 thousand US dollars, a 67.7% decrease from the previous year. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, with an 89.1% rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, export values varied by 3.1 times between the high in 2019 and the low in 2020.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo dominated Kenya's grapefruit juice exports in value terms, capturing 73.1% of the total. Other countries each held much smaller shares, indicating a highly concentrated export market.

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

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

Imports grapefruit juice to Kenya

Imports in kind, K l

Kenya's imports of grapefruit juice declined over the 2017-2020 period. In 2019, imports increased by 7.5%, but in 2020, they dropped to 139.5 thousand liters, which was 21.6% lower than in 2019. Overall, imports decreased by 33.8% from 2017 to 2020, equivalent to an average annual decline of 12.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Kenya in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the primary source for grapefruit juice imports into Kenya, representing 78.4% of total imports in volume. Other countries contributed much smaller amounts, making the Netherlands the dominant supplier.

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's spending on grapefruit juice imports fell significantly from 2017 to 2020. In 2019, import values saw a modest increase of 0.7%, but in 2020, they dropped to 240.6 thousand US dollars, a 40.6% decrease year-on-year. Over the entire period, import values declined by 44.3%, with an average annual decrease of 17.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands accounted for 88.9% of Kenya's grapefruit juice import value, highlighting its overwhelming role as a supplier. The remaining imports were spread across a variety of other countries, each with minimal shares.

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

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