Crustaceans exports from Kenya: data, top buyers and prices
Kenya exported $8.4 million of crustaceans in 2024 (714 tonnes). Value fell 31% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $12.2 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 | $8.4M | 714 t |
| 2023 | $12.2M | 836 t |
| 2022 | $4.7M | 696 t |
| 2021 | $4.6M | 917 t |
| 2020 | $4.0M | 751 t |
| 2019 | $3.6M | 375 t |
| 2018 | $7.1M | 413 t |
| 2017 | $5.2M | 311 t |
Where Kenya exports crustaceans to
China alone took 71% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Portugal grew fastest (+521% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $5.9M | 71% |
| Hong Kong | $496K | 5.9% |
| Portugal | $423K | 5% |
| Italy | $326K | 3.9% |
| Thailand | $197K | 2.3% |
| South Africa | $180K | 2.1% |
| Maldives | $154K | 1.8% |
| Netherlands | $139K | 1.6% |
| Rwanda | $105K | 1.3% |
| United States | $64K | 0.8% |
Product types under HS 0306
| 0306.33 | Fresh crab | 70% |
| 0306.31 | Fresh rock lobster | 7.9% |
| 0306.14 | Frozen cooked crab | 5.1% |
| 0306.17 | Frozen cooked shrimp | 4.1% |
| 0306.11 | Frozen cooked rock lobster | 3.9% |
| 0306.12 | Frozen cooked lobster | 3.1% |
| 0306.19 | Frozen cooked crustaceans (other) | 2.1% |
| 0306.36 | Fresh shrimp | 1.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0306.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $11.78 per kg, 45% above the world average of $8.11. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Crustaceans imports to Kenya
Kenya imported $1.5 million of crustaceans in 2024 (394 tonnes). Most of the value came from South Africa (40%), Ecuador (20%), Madagascar (15%). Among the main suppliers, South Africa grew fastest (+216% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $592K | 40% |
| Ecuador | $300K | 20% |
| Madagascar | $217K | 15% |
| India | $173K | 12% |
| Tanzania | $83K | 5.6% |
| France | $76K | 5.1% |
| China | $17K | 1.1% |
| Bahrain | $15K | 1% |
| Vietnam | $9K | 0.6% |
| Cuba | $4K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya crustaceans exports (HS 0306): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 0306: Crustaceans; in shell or not, live, fresh, chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine; smoked, cooked or not before or during smoking; in shell, steamed or boiled, whether or not chilled, frozen, dried, salted or in brine.
Common questions
What is the value of crustaceans exported by Kenya?
Kenya exported crustaceans worth $8.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 714 tonnes. That ranks it 76th of 173 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 31% on 2023.
Which countries buy crustaceans from Kenya?
China was the largest buyer with 71% of the value ($5.9 million), followed by Hong Kong (6%) and Portugal (5%). The top three together account for 82%, out of 59 buyer countries in total. Portugal grew fastest among the top ten, up 521% on the year.
What is the average export price of crustaceans per kg?
The average declared export value was about $11.78 per kg in 2024, 45% above the world average of $8.11 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of crustaceans from Kenya changed since 2017?
Exports went from $5.2 million in 2017 to $8.4 million in 2024, an increase of 61%. The peak was 2023 at $12.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $6.2 million a year.
Does Kenya also import crustaceans?
Yes. Kenya imported $1.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from South Africa, Ecuador and Madagascar. On balance Kenya is a net exporter of this product, by about $6.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for crustaceans?
The HS code for crustaceans is heading 0306. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 0306.33 (70% of the value) and 0306.31 (8%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Kenya reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
Crustaceans product types in Kenya
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