Pears market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

The market for pears in Kenya stood at 1 662 tonnes in 2018, supported by growing local and international demand and exports to markets like Bahrain and Rwanda. Volume dropped to 1 273 tonnes in 2019 but recovered to 1 389 tonnes in 2020, as farmers increasingly adopted chemical-free growing methods to appeal to wider consumer segments despite temporary disruptions from COVID-19 lockdowns.

From 2021, the market entered a sustained expansion, reaching 1 570 tonnes in 2021 and 2 539 tonnes in 2023. This growth was underpinned by improved orchard management practices such as fruit thinning to enhance marketable size and a focus on cross-pollination to boost fruit production, which helped increase domestic output from 1 134 tonnes to 2 067 tonnes over the period.

By 2024, farmers were introducing new plants and exploring value-added products like juice and jams to diversify income. Urban population growth continued to drive demand, although land subdivision posed a constraint on expanding pear farming areas, with sustainable, chemical-free cultivation remaining a key feature of the sector.

Production pears in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of pears, 2017-2020

World map of production of pears, 2017-2020

After two consecutive years of decline, Kenya's pear production rebounded in 2020. The country produced 961 tonnes of pears that year, marking a modest 2.6% increase compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader 2017-2020 period, production actually fell by 49.2%, with an average annual decline of 20.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 936 tonnes, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 33.8% decrease.

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

Exports pears from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

The export market for Kenyan pears showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at just 0.8 tonnes, which then surged to 16.4 tonnes in 2020 - representing a remarkable 20-fold increase between these two years. The 2020 figure represented a substantial 143.6% growth compared to the previous year. The most dramatic decline occurred in 2018 with a 42.4% drop, while the most impressive growth was registered in 2019 with a staggering 731.8% increase.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Sudan dominated Kenya's pear exports, accounting for 71.1% of total shipments by volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various smaller trading partners.

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 value of Kenya's pear exports displayed notable volatility throughout the observed period. The lowest point came in 2018 with exports valued at 2.9 thousand US dollars, while the peak was reached in 2020 at 12.1 thousand US dollars - representing a 4.1-fold increase between these years. The 2020 figure showed strong year-on-year growth of 124.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 4.2% decrease.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, two markets played dominant roles in Kenya's pear exports by value: South Sudan and Bunkers. Together, these two destinations accounted for 83.1% of total export value, with the remainder distributed among other 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 pears to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

Kenya's pear imports reached 444.5 tonnes in 2020, representing a solid 29.5% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest import volume during the 2017-2020 period was recorded in 2019 at 343.2 tonnes. Over the entire four-year span, imports grew by 28.1%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 8.6%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 16.5% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa overwhelmingly dominated Kenya's pear imports by volume, accounting for 95.6% of total shipments.

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 pear imports were valued at 289.7 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp 42.6% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 73.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with an 11.5% decrease.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, South Africa maintained overwhelming dominance as Kenya's pear supplier by value, accounting for 96.0% of total import value.

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

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