Carbonate exports from Kenya: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of carbonate by Kenya reached $65.4 million in 2024 (301.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 16% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $103.8 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $65.4M | 301.4K t |
| 2023 | $77.7M | 256.3K t |
| 2022 | $103.8M | 314.7K t |
| 2021 | $61.8M | 327.4K t |
| 2020 | $50.0M | 246.5K t |
| 2019 | $62.8M | 280.3K t |
| 2018 | $59.6M | 249.0K t |
| 2017 | $52.1M | 238.0K t |
Where Kenya exports carbonate to
The largest buyer markets were India (27%), Thailand (25%), Uganda (15%). Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest (+233% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $17.4M | 27% |
| Thailand | $16.7M | 26% |
| Uganda | $10.0M | 15% |
| Tanzania | $7.1M | 11% |
| Philippines | $4.6M | 7.1% |
| Ethiopia | $2.4M | 3.7% |
| Pakistan | $1.8M | 2.8% |
| Rwanda | $1.7M | 2.6% |
| South Africa | $1.6M | 2.4% |
| China | $1.2M | 1.9% |
Product types under HS 2836
| 2836.20 | Soda ash | 92% |
| 2836.50 | Calcium carbonate | 7.8% |
| 2836.99 | Carbonates (other) | 0.2% |
| 2836.30 | Sodium bicarbonate | 0.1% |
| 2836.40 | Potassium carbonate | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2836.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.22 per kg, 51% below the world average of $0.45, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Carbonate imports to Kenya
In 2024, Kenya imported carbonate worth $18.8 million (50.4 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were China (23%), India (21%), Vietnam (15%). Among the main suppliers, Malaysia grew fastest (+576% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $4.4M | 23% |
| India | $4.0M | 21% |
| Vietnam | $2.7M | 15% |
| Egypt | $2.7M | 15% |
| Turkey | $1.8M | 9.6% |
| Italy | $637K | 3.4% |
| Malaysia | $441K | 2.4% |
| Saudi Arabia | $245K | 1.3% |
| United Kingdom | $243K | 1.3% |
| Bosnia Herzegovina | $233K | 1.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya carbonate exports (HS 2836): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 2836: Carbonates; peroxocarbonates (percarbonates); commercial ammonium carbonate containing ammonium carbamate.
Common questions
What is the value of carbonate exported by Kenya?
Kenya exported carbonate worth $65.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 301.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 23rd of 157 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 16% on 2023.
Which countries buy carbonate from Kenya?
India was the largest buyer with 27% of the value ($17.4 million), followed by Thailand (25%) and Uganda (15%). The top three together account for 67%, out of 27 buyer countries in total. Tanzania grew fastest among the top ten, up 233% on the year.
What is the average export price of carbonate per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.22 per kg in 2024, 51% below the world average of $0.45 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of carbonate from Kenya changed since 2017?
Exports went from $52.1 million in 2017 to $65.4 million in 2024, an increase of 26%. The peak was 2022 at $103.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $66.7 million a year.
Does Kenya also import carbonate?
Yes. Kenya imported $18.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, India and Vietnam. On balance Kenya is a net exporter of this product, by about $46.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for carbonate?
The HS code for carbonate is heading 2836. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 2836.20 (92% of the value) and 2836.50 (8%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for Kenya. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
Carbonate product types in Kenya
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.