Potato market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

The Kenyan potato market experienced notable regulatory overhaul beginning in 2018 with the launch of the Crops (Irish Potato) Regulations 2019. These rules, enforced by the Agriculture and Food Authority, standardized packaging to 50 kg bags and required registration of growers and dealers, aiming to curb exploitation and improve market transparency. This foundational change coincided with a growing recognition of demand for processed potatoes, setting the stage for subsequent market developments.

State-led initiatives significantly influenced production volumes. The Potato Production and Marketing Strategy 2018‑2022 promoted clean seed production and irrigation expansion, while the National Irrigation Authority actively advocated for water‑management projects to boost yields. The construction of a dedicated potato‑cooling plant in Nakuru County and the wider adoption of cold‑storage rooms by 2023 helped reduce post‑harvest losses, supporting a sharp rebound in output. Additionally, KALRO's release of new, longer‑shelf‑life potato varieties addressed quality concerns raised by fast‑food chains in earlier years.

Demand dynamics and new market entrants further shaped the sector. Urban consumption of fresh and processed potatoes rose steadily, with reported shortages in 2020 highlighting supply‑chain gaps that later spurred investments. The entry of a new processor, Simplifine Ltd, through a partnership with Yara International in 2024, marked the expansion of the chilled‑potato segment for processing, reflecting the market's evolving structure.

Production potato in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of potato, 2017-2020

World map of production of potato, 2017-2020

Kenya's potato production experienced a two-year period of growth before declining. In 2020, the country produced 1 860 thousand tons of potatoes, representing a 6.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 22.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 1 979 thousand tons, while the most significant year-over-year increase occurred in 2018 at 23.1%.

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

Exports potato from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Kenya's potato export volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2018 and the highest in 2020, representing a 17-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya exported 27 195 tons of potatoes, marking a substantial increase of 674.5% compared to the previous year. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 586 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 90.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda dominated Kenya's potato exports in volume terms, accounting for 95.4% of total export flows.

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 data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Kenya's potato export values peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 6.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya exported potatoes worth 4 381 thousand US dollars, representing a steep increase of 434.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum export value was recorded in 2018 at 788 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 84.8%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, two key markets—Uganda and Somalia—dominated Kenya's potato exports in value terms, together accounting for 99.2% 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 potato to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Kenya's potato import volumes fluctuated significantly, with the lowest point in 2019 and the highest in 2017, representing a 30-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya imported 201 tons of potatoes, which is 58.7% higher than the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 127 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 92.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania and the Netherlands formed a duopoly in Kenya's potato imports in volume terms, with a combined share of 99.7% 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 characterized the market behavior during these years. Kenya's potato import values reached their highest point in 2017 and their lowest in 2019, with a 6.7-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Kenya's potato imports amounted to 180 thousand US dollars, marking a steep rise of 48.7% compared to the previous year. The minimum import value was recorded in 2019 at 121 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 76.1%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the country structure of Kenya's potato imports in value terms was shaped primarily by Tanzania and the Netherlands, which together accounted for 99.3% of total import flows, while other markets formed a long tail.

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

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