Vanilla market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

Kenya's vanilla market volume expanded from 14,360 kg in 2018 to a peak of 15,900 kg in 2022. This growth was initially spurred by the entry of new farmers, such as Andrew Simiyu in Kwale County, who demonstrated vanilla's high-income potential despite challenges in sourcing planting materials. The market continued its upward trajectory as success stories and prices reaching Sh25,000 per unit attracted broader farmer participation by 2022.

In 2023, the market volume fell sharply to 14,224 kg. This decline was driven by production variability due to climate conditions, soil factors, and farming practices, which impacted yields despite vanilla's growing popularity from high global demand. The market faced constraints from these persistent challenges even as global interest in natural vanilla remained strong.

Entering 2024, approximately 5,000 farmers were engaged in vanilla cultivation, supported by sustained global demand for natural flavors. However, disease outbreaks, infrastructure gaps, and theft risks limited further expansion, keeping production below the earlier peak volumes.

Production vanilla in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya ranked as the 12th largest vanilla producer in the world.

Top producers of vanilla, 2017-2020

World map of production of vanilla, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, vanilla production in Kenya experienced a decline. In 2020, Kenya produced 15 340 kg of vanilla, marking a slight decrease of 2.4% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 0.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 15 710 kg, with the largest year-on-year increase of 2.5% also occurring that year.

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

Exports vanilla from Kenya

Exports in kind, kg

Kenya's vanilla export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 187 kg, representing a significant decrease of 67.7% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 93.9%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 60.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda and Rwanda dominated Kenya's vanilla exports in volume, together accounting for 100.0% of the total 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, $ US

In 2020, Kenya exported vanilla worth 1 980 US dollars, reflecting a 23.2% decline year-over-year. Over the 2017–2020 period, exports decreased by 39.3%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 15.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 680 US dollars, with the largest decline of 48.5% occurring that year. In contrast, the largest increase of 53.6% was observed in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Uganda and Rwanda were the primary buyers of Kenyan vanilla in value terms, jointly representing 100.0% of total exports.

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

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

Imports vanilla to Kenya

Imports in kind, kg

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Pakistan effectively dominated Kenya's vanilla imports in volume, holding a 92.3% 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, $ US

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

From 2017 to 2020, Tanzania and Pakistan captured the majority of Kenya's vanilla imports in value, together accounting for 99.9% 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