Industrial bar soap exports from Kenya: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of industrial bar soap by Kenya reached $70.8 million in 2024 (83.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 3%. That is 10% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 24% 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 | $70.8M | 83.7K t |
| 2023 | $64.4M | 75.9K t |
| 2022 | $73.1M | 70.2K t |
| 2021 | $73.7M | 94.3K t |
| 2020 | $60.7M | 95.3K t |
| 2019 | $48.1M | 78.6K t |
| 2018 | $27.3M | 39.3K t |
| 2017 | $15.4M | 23.4K t |
Where Kenya exports industrial bar soap to
The largest buyer markets were Tanzania (43%), Uganda (25%), Somalia (7%). Among the main buyer markets, Oman grew fastest (+144% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $30.3M | 43% |
| Uganda | $17.5M | 25% |
| Somalia | $5.0M | 7.1% |
| Rwanda | $4.9M | 6.9% |
| Malawi | $4.4M | 6.2% |
| South Sudan | $2.3M | 3.3% |
| Zambia | $2.1M | 3% |
| Oman | $1.9M | 2.6% |
| Djibouti | $1.6M | 2.3% |
| DR Congo | $450K | 0.6% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.85 per kg, 50% below the world average of $1.70, 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.
Industrial bar soap imports to Kenya
Kenya imported $9.0 million of industrial bar soap in 2024 (16.1 thousand tonnes). One supplier dominates: Tanzania accounted for 85% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Tanzania grew fastest (+431% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $7.6M | 85% |
| China | $625K | 7% |
| Indonesia | $441K | 4.9% |
| Switzerland | $63K | 0.7% |
| Saudi Arabia | $41K | 0.5% |
| South Africa | $36K | 0.4% |
| Turkey | $21K | 0.2% |
| Greece | $21K | 0.2% |
| India | $16K | 0.2% |
| United States | $16K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya industrial bar soap exports (HS 3401.19): 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 3401.19: Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, not for toilet use.
Common questions
What is the value of industrial bar soap exported by Kenya?
Kenya exported industrial bar soap worth $70.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 83.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 12th of 182 countries worldwide, with 3% of world exports. The value was up 10% on 2023.
Which countries buy industrial bar soap from Kenya?
Tanzania was the largest buyer with 43% of the value ($30.3 million), followed by Uganda (25%) and Somalia (7%). The top three together account for 75%, out of 41 buyer countries in total. Oman grew fastest among the top ten, up 144% on the year.
What is the average export price of industrial bar soap per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.85 per kg in 2024, 50% below the world average of $1.70 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of industrial bar soap from Kenya changed since 2017?
Exports went from $15.4 million in 2017 to $70.8 million in 2024, an increase of 360%. The peak was 2021 at $73.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $54.2 million a year.
Does Kenya also import industrial bar soap?
Yes. Kenya imported $9.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Tanzania, China and Indonesia. On balance Kenya is a net exporter of this product, by about $61.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for industrial bar soap?
The HS code for industrial bar soap is subheading 3401.19. It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3401 page.
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
World industrial bar soap trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for Kenya
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