Food processing machinery imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of food processing machinery by Kenya reached $66.0 million in 2024 (6.2 thousand tonnes). That is 12% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | $66.0M | 6.2K t |
| 2023 | $58.8M | 5.6K t |
| 2022 | $49.8M | 4.5K t |
| 2021 | $33.9M | 2.1K t |
| 2020 | $31.1M | 1.9K t |
| 2019 | $49.3M | 2.5K t |
| 2018 | $66.9M | 5.3K t |
| 2017 | $53.4M | 3.5K t |
Where Kenya imports food processing machinery from
Most of the value came from India (49%), Italy (15%), Germany (9%). Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest (+450% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $32.4M | 49% |
| Italy | $10.1M | 15% |
| Germany | $6.1M | 9.2% |
| China | $5.4M | 8.2% |
| Paraguay | $2.2M | 3.3% |
| South Africa | $1.9M | 2.9% |
| Croatia | $1.8M | 2.8% |
| Netherlands | $1.5M | 2.3% |
| Pakistan | $636K | 1% |
| United States | $615K | 0.9% |
Product types under HS 8438
| 8438.80 | Food and beverage processing machinery (other) | 37% |
| 8438.90 | Food processing machinery parts | 20% |
| 8438.30 | Sugar manufacturing machinery | 17% |
| 8438.10 | Bakery and pasta manufacturing machinery | 15% |
| 8438.60 | Fruit and vegetable processing machinery | 5.4% |
| 8438.50 | Meat and poultry processing machinery | 2.6% |
| 8438.20 | Confectionery and chocolate machinery | 1.9% |
| 8438.40 | Brewery equipment and machinery | 0.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8438.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $10.61 per kg, 61% below the world average of $26.89, 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.
Food processing machinery exports from Kenya
Kenya exported $1.4 million of food processing machinery in 2024 (346 tonnes). Most of it went to South Africa (33%), DR Congo (19%), Rwanda (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Somalia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $458K | 33% |
| DR Congo | $263K | 19% |
| Rwanda | $172K | 12% |
| Tanzania | $93K | 6.6% |
| Burundi | $89K | 6.3% |
| Uganda | $55K | 3.9% |
| Somalia | $47K | 3.4% |
| Egypt | $44K | 3.1% |
| France | $38K | 2.7% |
| Saudi Arabia | $35K | 2.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya food processing machinery imports (HS 8438): 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 8438: Machinery n.e.c. in this chapter, for the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink; other than machinery for extraction or preparation of animal or fixed vegetable or microbial fats or oils.
Common questions
What is the value of food processing machinery imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported food processing machinery worth $66.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 6.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 58th of 220 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 12% on 2023.
Which countries supply food processing machinery to Kenya?
India was the largest supplier with 49% of the value ($32.4 million), followed by Italy (15%) and Germany (9%). The top three together account for 74%, out of 53 supplier countries in total. Italy grew fastest among the top ten, up 450% on the year.
What is the average import price of food processing machinery per kg?
The average declared import value was about $10.61 per kg in 2024, 61% below the world average of $26.89 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of food processing machinery to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $53.4 million in 2017 to $66.0 million in 2024, an increase of 23%. The peak was 2018 at $66.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $51.1 million a year.
Does Kenya also export food processing machinery?
Yes. Kenya exported $1.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to South Africa, the DR Congo and Rwanda. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $64.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for food processing machinery?
The HS code for food processing machinery is heading 8438. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 8438.80 (37% of the value) and 8438.90 (20%).
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.
Same product, other countries
World food processing machinery trade: top importers and exporters
Food processing machinery product types in Kenya
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