Vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar market in Kenya

Earlier Report Observations

Kenya's market for vinegar-preserved vegetables, pulses, and potatoes began the period at 5 511 t in 2018. It contracted to 4 630 t in 2019, a year that saw the launch of the Crops (Irish Potato) Regulations 2019, which standardized packaging and required grower registration, and the Kenya Defence Forces starting value-addition projects to boost processing capacity for potatoes and vegetables.

After the 2019 dip, the market recovered to 5 001 t in 2020 and then fluctuated near the 5 000 t mark through 2023. In 2022, when production edged down to 4 772 t, authorities were drafting new rules for potato and sweet-potato seed production and marketing, a regulatory development that could influence future supply chains for preserved products.

The regulatory landscape shifted again in 2024 with the introduction of a mandatory 'Mark of Quality' certification for local horticultural produce, alongside stricter on-farm safety rules that may affect millions of smallholders and reformed pesticide regulations that tighten input standards for vegetable and pulse growers.

Production vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar, 2017-2020

World map of production of vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar, 2017-2020

In 2019, Kenya's production of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar reached its lowest point at 4 500 tonnes. The following year, in 2020, production increased by 8.1% to 4 864 tonnes. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 5 400 tonnes, which represented a 12.5% increase from the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 16.7%.

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

Exports vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar from Kenya

Exports in kind, t

In 2018, Kenya's exports of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar hit their lowest point at 1.1 tonnes, marking a substantial decline of 61.4% from the previous year. Exports then recovered in 2019, increasing by 12.8% to 1.2 tonnes, but fell again in 2020 by 7.5% to 1.2 tonnes. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 59.8%, with an average annual decline of 26.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of Kenya's vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar were South Sudan, accounting for 23.0% of exports in kind, the United Kingdom with 18.0%, and Uganda at 17.2%. Together, these three markets made up 58.3% of total exports in kind 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

In 2018, the value of Kenya's exports of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar was at its lowest, totaling 2.1 thousand US dollars, which represented a decline of 19.8% from the previous year. Exports then surged in 2019, reaching a peak of 6.6 thousand US dollars—a remarkable increase of 209.6%. In 2020, exports fell slightly by 3.1% to 6.4 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, there was a 3.1-fold difference between the minimum and maximum values.

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

During 2017-2020, Uganda, the United Kingdom, and Bunkers were the top three markets for Kenya's exports of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar in value terms, collectively accounting for 73.8% 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 vegetables, pulses and potatoes in vinegar to Kenya

Imports in kind, t

Kenya's imports of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar have been rising steadily, increasing for the third consecutive year in 2020. In that year, imports reached 1.2 tonnes, up by 5.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 33.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the leading source of Kenya's imports of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar in kind, contributing 30.4% of the total. India followed with 17.7%, and Spain with 15.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 63.5% of total import flows in kind.

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 2019, Kenya's imports of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar in value terms peaked at 195.3 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 14.4% increase from the previous year. However, in 2020, imports declined by 22.2% to 152.0 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.7%, with an average annual decline of 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain was the top source for Kenya's imports of vegetables, pulses, and potatoes in vinegar in value terms, making up 30.7% of the total. China contributed 15.2%, and India 12.4%. Combined, these three countries represented 58.3% of total import flows in value terms.

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

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