Dried and smoked fish exports from Kenya: data, top buyers and prices
Kenya exported $21.0 million of dried and smoked fish in 2024 (5.8 thousand tonnes). Value fell 4% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 30% 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 | $21.0M | 5.8K t |
| 2023 | $21.8M | 5.5K t |
| 2022 | $17.7M | 8.1K t |
| 2021 | $8.0M | 7.4K t |
| 2020 | $9.5M | 8.3K t |
| 2019 | $12.0M | 5.1K t |
| 2018 | $6.7M | 843 t |
| 2017 | $3.3M | 73 t |
Where Kenya exports dried and smoked fish to
China alone took 60% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Hong Kong grew fastest (+180% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $12.5M | 60% |
| DR Congo | $5.8M | 27% |
| Hong Kong | $1.8M | 8.8% |
| Uganda | $658K | 3.1% |
| Macao | $47K | 0.2% |
| Singapore | $38K | 0.2% |
| Qatar | $35K | 0.2% |
| Malaysia | $29K | 0.1% |
| Thailand | $8K | 0% |
| United Kingdom | $5K | 0% |
Product types under HS 0305
| 0305.72 | Dried fish offal | 65% |
| 0305.59 | Dried fish (other) | 32% |
| 0305.31 | Fish fillets: dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, tilapias, catfish, carp, eels, Nile perch, and snakeheads | 2.2% |
| 0305.49 | Smoked fish (other) | 1% |
| 0305.71 | Dried shark fins | 0.3% |
| 0305.69 | Salted fish (other) | 0.2% |
| 0305.39 | Dried salted fish fillets | 0.1% |
| 0305.79 | Fish: edible offal, other than shark fins, fish heads, tails and maws | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 0305.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.60 per kg, 56% below the world average of $8.26, 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.
Dried and smoked fish imports to Kenya
Imports of dried and smoked fish by Kenya reached $385 thousand in 2024 (5.1 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Tanzania (47%), Norway (33%), Uganda (17%). Among the main suppliers, Tanzania grew fastest (+35% on the year before).
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya dried and smoked fish exports (HS 0305): 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 0305: Fish, dried, salted or in brine; smoked fish, whether or not cooked before, or during the smoking process.
Common questions
What is the value of dried and smoked fish exported by Kenya?
Kenya exported dried and smoked fish worth $21.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 37th of 165 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 4% on 2023.
Which countries buy dried and smoked fish from Kenya?
China was the largest buyer with 60% of the value ($12.5 million), followed by the DR Congo (27%) and Hong Kong (9%). The top three together account for 96%, out of 20 buyer countries in total. Hong Kong grew fastest among the top ten, up 180% on the year.
What is the average export price of dried and smoked fish per kg?
The average declared export value was about $3.60 per kg in 2024, 56% below the world average of $8.26 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of dried and smoked fish from Kenya changed since 2017?
Exports went from $3.3 million in 2017 to $21.0 million in 2024, an increase of 532%. The peak was 2023 at $21.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $12.5 million a year.
Does Kenya also import dried and smoked fish?
Yes. Kenya imported $385 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Tanzania, Norway and Uganda. On balance Kenya is a net exporter of this product, by about $20.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for dried and smoked fish?
The HS code for dried and smoked fish is heading 0305. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 0305.72 (65% of the value) and 0305.59 (31%).
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
World dried and smoked fish trade: top importers and exporters
Dried and smoked fish product types in Kenya
More trade data for Kenya
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