Fatty acid imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $59.6 million of fatty acid in 2024 (69.8 thousand tonnes). That is 31% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 31% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $59.6M | 69.8K t |
| 2023 | $45.6M | 56.1K t |
| 2022 | $73.3M | 61.0K t |
| 2021 | $54.1M | 51.3K t |
| 2020 | $18.1M | 27.6K t |
| 2019 | $11.0M | 21.4K t |
| 2018 | $10.2M | 17.1K t |
| 2017 | $8.9M | 12.7K t |
Where Kenya imports fatty acid from
Malaysia alone supplied 69% of it. Among the main suppliers, Indonesia grew fastest (+67% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | $41.2M | 69% |
| Indonesia | $15.2M | 25% |
| India | $1.5M | 2.5% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $409K | 0.7% |
| Turkey | $337K | 0.6% |
| China | $297K | 0.5% |
| Ghana | $181K | 0.3% |
| Egypt | $177K | 0.3% |
| South Africa | $91K | 0.2% |
| Finland | $46K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 3823
| 3823.19 | Fatty acids (other species) | 96% |
| 3823.70 | Industrial fatty alcohols | 1.8% |
| 3823.11 | Stearic acid | 1.8% |
| 3823.12 | Oleic acid | 0.5% |
| 3823.13 | Tall oil fatty acids | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3823.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.85 per kg, 31% below the world average of $1.24, 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.
Fatty acid exports from Kenya
In 2024, Kenya exported fatty acid worth $6.9 million (7.7 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Uganda accounted for 89% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Uganda grew fastest (+58% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $6.2M | 89% |
| Madagascar | $577K | 8.3% |
| Tanzania | $119K | 1.7% |
| Rwanda | $57K | 0.8% |
| Pakistan | $21K | 0.3% |
| DR Congo | $2K | 0% |
| Burundi | $1K | 0% |
| South Africa | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya fatty acid imports (HS 3823): 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 3823: Industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids; acid oils from refining; industrial fatty alcohols.
Common questions
What is the value of fatty acid imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported fatty acid worth $59.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 69.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 195 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 31% on 2023.
Which countries supply fatty acid to Kenya?
Malaysia was the largest supplier with 69% of the value ($41.2 million), followed by Indonesia (25%) and India (3%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 21 supplier countries in total. Turkey grew fastest among the top ten, up 296% on the year.
What is the average import price of fatty acid per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.85 per kg in 2024, 31% below the world average of $1.24 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of fatty acid to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $8.9 million in 2017 to $59.6 million in 2024, an increase of 566%. The peak was 2022 at $73.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $35.1 million a year.
Does Kenya also export fatty acid?
Yes. Kenya exported $6.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Uganda, Madagascar and Tanzania. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $52.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for fatty acid?
The HS code for fatty acid is heading 3823. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 3823.19 (96% of the value) and 3823.70 (2%).
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.
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