Essential oil exports from Kenya: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of essential oil by Kenya reached $7.2 million in 2024 (152 tonnes). That is 37% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $16.3 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 | $7.2M | 152 t |
| 2023 | $11.3M | 150 t |
| 2022 | $15.3M | 571 t |
| 2021 | $16.3M | 215 t |
| 2020 | $13.5M | 184 t |
| 2019 | $11.4M | 188 t |
| 2018 | $12.3M | 129 t |
| 2017 | $5.2M | 54 t |
Where Kenya exports essential oil to
One buyer market dominates: United States accounted for 76% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, United Kingdom grew fastest (+421% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $5.5M | 77% |
| Ireland | $465K | 6.5% |
| United Kingdom | $384K | 5.4% |
| Belgium | $337K | 4.7% |
| Mauritius | $96K | 1.3% |
| Japan | $79K | 1.1% |
| Portugal | $62K | 0.9% |
| Canada | $36K | 0.5% |
| France | $30K | 0.4% |
| China | $29K | 0.4% |
Product types under HS 3301
| 3301.29 | Miscellaneous essential oil | 94% |
| 3301.90 | Essential oil extract | 2.4% |
| 3301.30 | Resinoid | 2.1% |
| 3301.25 | Mint essential oil | 0.5% |
| 3301.12 | Orange essential oil | 0.4% |
| 3301.19 | Citrus essential oil | 0.4% |
| 3301.13 | Lemon essential oil | 0% |
| 3301.24 | Peppermint essential oil | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3301.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $47.11 per kg, 99% above the world average of $23.68. 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.
Essential oil imports to Kenya
Kenya imported $2.7 million of essential oil in 2024 (123 tonnes). One supplier dominates: Madagascar accounted for 60% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Madagascar | $1.6M | 61% |
| India | $393K | 15% |
| China | $194K | 7.1% |
| South Africa | $96K | 3.5% |
| United Kingdom | $69K | 2.6% |
| Czech Republic | $66K | 2.4% |
| United States | $56K | 2.1% |
| Germany | $55K | 2% |
| Australia | $42K | 1.5% |
| Netherlands | $21K | 0.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya essential oil exports (HS 3301): 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 3301: Oils; essential (concretes, absolutes); concentrates thereof in fats, fixed oils, waxes or the like (obtained by enfleurage or maceration); aqueous distillates, solutions and terpenic by-products thereof; resinoids; extracted oleoresins.
Common questions
What is the value of essential oil exported by Kenya?
Kenya exported essential oil worth $7.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 152 tonnes. That ranks it 47th of 197 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 37% on 2023.
Which countries buy essential oil from Kenya?
The United States was the largest buyer with 76% of the value ($5.5 million), followed by Ireland (6%) and the United Kingdom (5%). The top three together account for 88%, out of 42 buyer countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 421% on the year.
What is the average export price of essential oil per kg?
The average declared export value was about $47.11 per kg in 2024, 99% above the world average of $23.68 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have exports of essential oil from Kenya changed since 2017?
Exports went from $5.2 million in 2017 to $7.2 million in 2024, an increase of 39%. The peak was 2021 at $16.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $11.6 million a year.
Does Kenya also import essential oil?
Yes. Kenya imported $2.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Madagascar, India and China. On balance Kenya is a net exporter of this product, by about $4.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for essential oil?
The HS code for essential oil is heading 3301. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 3301.29 (94% of the value) and 3301.90 (2%).
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
Essential oil product types in Kenya
More trade data for Kenya
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