Kenya’s export earnings remained largely steady last year, even as performance varied significantly across different global markets.
Data from the 2026 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicates that shifting demand and changing commodity flows across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas shaped the mixed outcomes.
Africa retained its position as Kenya’s top export destination, with earnings from the continent rising by 6.4 percent—from Sh425.6 billion in 2024 to Sh452.8 billion in 2025. This growth was mainly driven by stronger trade within the East African Community, where exports climbed to Sh351.2 billion.
Uganda remained Kenya’s largest single export market, with earnings surging by 28.8 percent to Sh162.4 billion, accounting for 14.5 percent of total export revenue. Overall, Kenya recorded Sh1.119 trillion in export earnings during the year.
Other African markets that supported growth included Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa, posting increases of 24.3 percent and 17.9 percent respectively. However, this progress was partly offset by declines in exports to Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, and Tanzania.
The sharp drop in exports to Sudan—down 59.8 percent—has been linked to diplomatic tensions between Kenya and Sudan, following Nairobi’s decision to host the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), also known as the Janjaweed militia.
In contrast, exports to Asia declined by 13.2 percent to Sh275.7 billion. Key markets such as Yemen, Saudi Arabia, China, India, and the United Arab Emirates all recorded significant drops. The decline was largely attributed to reduced exports of jet fuel, tea, titanium ores, macadamia nuts, and pigeon peas.
European markets, however, registered growth, with export earnings increasing to Sh264.0 billion from Sh246.9 billion the previous year. The European Union remained the key destination, supported by stronger demand from Italy, Belgium, France, and Germany. Growth was driven by increased exports of vegetable oils and coffee, alongside higher shipments of macadamia nuts.
Despite this, exports to the Netherlands fell by 4.8 percent due to reduced avocado exports and jet fuel re-exports, while earnings from the United Kingdom dipped by 1.5 percent, mainly on lower tea exports.
Eastern Europe offered a bright spot, with exports to Kazakhstan rising from Sh9.3 billion to Sh14.7 billion, supported by increased tea shipments.
Meanwhile, exports to the Americas declined by 4.4 percent to Sh90.1 billion. Earnings from the United States—the region’s largest market—fell by 10.3 percent due to reduced exports of titanium ores, apparel, and jet fuel re-exports.
However, Canada bucked the trend, with export earnings surging by 82.3 percent to Sh4.8 billion, largely driven by increased coffee exports.
