Iron and steel scrap imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of iron and steel scrap by Kenya reached $57.1 million in 2024 (118.8 thousand tonnes). Value rose 192% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 58% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $57.1M | 118.8K t |
| 2023 | $19.6M | 50.1K t |
| 2022 | $15.4M | 26.0K t |
| 2021 | $3.9M | 8.5K t |
| 2020 | $19.2M | 65.0K t |
| 2019 | $20.6M | 64.9K t |
| 2018 | $4.4M | 13.4K t |
| 2017 | $2.3M | 10.1K t |
Where Kenya imports iron and steel scrap from
Poland alone supplied 53% of it. Among the main suppliers, Poland grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | $30.4M | 53% |
| United Kingdom | $16.8M | 29% |
| South Africa | $8.5M | 15% |
| Germany | $486K | 0.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $275K | 0.5% |
| Lithuania | $274K | 0.5% |
| China | $210K | 0.4% |
| Malaysia | $144K | 0.3% |
| Tanzania | $23K | 0% |
| India | $18K | 0% |
Product types under HS 7204
| 7204.49 | Other ferrous scrap | 59% |
| 7204.29 | Alloy steel scrap | 14% |
| 7204.50 | Remelting scrap ingots | 12% |
| 7204.30 | Tinned steel scrap | 10% |
| 7204.10 | Cast iron scrap | 4.1% |
| 7204.41 | Steel turnings and chips | 0.5% |
| 7204.21 | Stainless steel scrap | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7204.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.48 per kg, close to the world average of $0.44.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Iron and steel scrap exports from Kenya
Exports of iron and steel scrap by Kenya reached $22.0 million in 2024 (39.6 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Uganda accounted for 94% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $20.7M | 94% |
| India | $1.0M | 4.6% |
| United Arab Emirates | $117K | 0.5% |
| Netherlands | $90K | 0.4% |
| United Kingdom | $29K | 0.1% |
| China | $9K | 0% |
| Singapore | $3K | 0% |
| Malaysia | $1K | 0% |
| DR Congo | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya iron and steel scrap imports (HS 7204): 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 7204: Ferrous waste and scrap; remelting scrap ingots of iron or steel.
Common questions
What is the value of iron and steel scrap imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported iron and steel scrap worth $57.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 118.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 52nd of 171 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 192% on 2023.
Which countries supply iron and steel scrap to Kenya?
Poland was the largest supplier with 53% of the value ($30.4 million), followed by the United Kingdom (29%) and South Africa (15%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 15 supplier countries in total. Tanzania grew fastest among the top ten, up 60% on the year.
What is the average import price of iron and steel scrap per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.48 per kg in 2024, 9% above the world average of $0.44 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of iron and steel scrap to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.3 million in 2017 to $57.1 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $17.8 million a year.
Does Kenya also export iron and steel scrap?
Yes. Kenya exported $22.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Uganda, India and the United Arab Emirates. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $35.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for iron and steel scrap?
The HS code for iron and steel scrap is heading 7204. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 7204.49 (59% of the value) and 7204.29 (14%).
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 iron and steel scrap trade: top importers and exporters
Iron and steel scrap product types in Kenya
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