Browse Data and Analysis

On May 5, 2022, trade and finance ministers from East African Community (EAC) member countries agreed to raise minimum common external tariffs from 25 to 35 percent on several agricultural products.

Kenya’s MY2022/23 coffee production is forecast to decrease by 10 percent to 700,000 bags due to lower yields caused by reduced fertilizer application. MY 2022/23 area planted is anticipated to remain flat at 105,000 hectares as new plantings are curtailed by a shortage of coffee seeds.

Post forecasts Kenya’s sugar production will decrease 4 percent in marketing year (MY) 2022/23 from 690,000 metric tons (MT) to 660,000 MT due to lower sugarcane yields as high fertilizer prices trigger lower application.

Kenya MY2022/23 corn production is forecast at 3.2 million metric tons (MMT), largely unchanged from MY2021/22 due to high fertilizer prices and farmers switching to alternative crops such as sugarcane.

Kenya is a growing middle-income nation that acts as the economic, financial, and transport hub of East Africa. Kenya’s population demographic consists of a median age of 20 years, with 33.8 percent of the population between the ages of 25 and 54 years.

Kenya’s imports of consumer-oriented food products grew at an average annual rate of 9.6 percent between 2016 and 2020. This increase was fueled by a growing middle class with rising disposable income, increased urbanization, and expanding modern food retail and food service sectors.

On December 10, 2021, the Government of Kenya announced it would grant exemptions to tariffs on non-genetically-modified (GM) feed ingredients in response to rising feed costs.

This report provides updates on Government of Kenya (GOK) import requirements and regulations for food and agricultural products. It includes applicable laws and guidelines, import procedures, and contact details of key trade regulatory and specialist agencies.

This report complements the FAIRS Annual Country Report for Kenya and provides information on certificates required by the Government of Kenya (GOK) to export food and agricultural products into the country.

On June 2021, Kenya became the first country globally to approve the environmental release of genetically engineered (GE) cassava. Bt. corn will likely be sent to Kenya’s cabinet for exemption from Kenya’s GE ban and final approval in fall 2021.

On June 10, 2021, Kenya notified a draft standard on canned vegetables to the WTO TBT Committee as G/TBT/N/KEN/1102.

FAS Nairobi forecasts Kenya’s coffee production will increase in marketing year 2021/22 due to anticipated good weather and improved farm practices in response to higher prices.