Cigarettes exports from Kenya: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, Kenya exported cigarettes worth $95.6 million (7.9 thousand tonnes). That is 4% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 14% a year on average.
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 | $95.6M | 7.9K t |
| 2023 | $99.9M | 8.0K t |
| 2022 | $102.7M | 9.1K t |
| 2021 | $99.2M | 4.6K t |
| 2020 | $110.7M | 10.7K t |
| 2019 | $92.2M | 5.5K t |
| 2018 | $46.2M | 2.3K t |
| 2017 | $38.6M | 2.1K t |
Where Kenya exports cigarettes to
One buyer market dominates: Somalia accounted for 52% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Rwanda grew fastest (+42% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Somalia | $49.5M | 52% |
| DR Congo | $16.8M | 18% |
| Mauritius | $16.2M | 17% |
| Rwanda | $4.8M | 5% |
| Uganda | $2.9M | 3% |
| Malawi | $2.4M | 2.5% |
| Republic of the Congo | $1.2M | 1.3% |
| Belgium | $456K | 0.5% |
| United Kingdom | $361K | 0.4% |
| China | $331K | 0.4% |
Product types under HS 2402
| 2402.20 | Cigarettes: containing tobacco | 99% |
| 2402.10 | Cigars | 0.7% |
| 2402.90 | Herbal cigars | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 2402.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $12.14 per kg, 47% below the world average of $22.88, 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.
Cigarettes imports to Kenya
Kenya imported $3.5 million of cigarettes in 2024 (150 tonnes). The largest suppliers were Serbia (22%), China (19%), United Kingdom (10%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+272% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Serbia | $782K | 22% |
| China | $661K | 19% |
| United Kingdom | $353K | 10% |
| India | $288K | 8.2% |
| Turkey | $270K | 7.7% |
| Poland | $218K | 6.3% |
| Belgium | $191K | 5.5% |
| Spain | $165K | 4.7% |
| South Africa | $112K | 3.2% |
| Pakistan | $97K | 2.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya cigarettes exports (HS 2402): 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 2402: Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes; of tobacco or of tobacco substitutes.
Common questions
What is the value of cigarettes exported by Kenya?
Kenya exported cigarettes worth $95.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 171 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy cigarettes from Kenya?
Somalia was the largest buyer with 52% of the value ($49.5 million), followed by the DR Congo (18%) and Mauritius (17%). The top three together account for 86%, out of 29 buyer countries in total. The Republic of the Congo grew fastest among the top ten, up 268% on the year.
What is the average export price of cigarettes per kg?
The average declared export value was about $12.14 per kg in 2024, 47% below the world average of $22.88 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of cigarettes from Kenya changed since 2017?
Exports went from $38.6 million in 2017 to $95.6 million in 2024, an increase of 148%. The peak was 2020 at $110.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $85.6 million a year.
Does Kenya also import cigarettes?
Yes. Kenya imported $3.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Serbia, China and the United Kingdom. On balance Kenya is a net exporter of this product, by about $92.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for cigarettes?
The HS code for cigarettes is heading 2402. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 2402.20 (99% of the value) and 2402.10 (1%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Kenya, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
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