Medical needles imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $3.2 million of medical needles in 2024 (215 tonnes). Value rose 33% on 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 | $3.2M | 215 t |
| 2023 | $2.4M | 224 t |
| 2022 | $2.6M | 289 t |
| 2021 | $3.3M | 329 t |
| 2020 | $2.5M | 240 t |
| 2019 | $3.0M | 321 t |
| 2018 | $2.9M | 227 t |
| 2017 | $2.4M | 239 t |
Where Kenya imports medical needles from
Most of the value came from China (36%), United States (22%), Spain (10%). Among the main suppliers, South Africa grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.2M | 36% |
| United States | $718K | 22% |
| Spain | $337K | 11% |
| Germany | $201K | 6.3% |
| France | $147K | 4.6% |
| Switzerland | $114K | 3.6% |
| Turkey | $110K | 3.4% |
| South Africa | $97K | 3% |
| Japan | $84K | 2.6% |
| India | $67K | 2.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $14.99 per kg, 62% below the world average of $39.17, 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.
Medical needles exports from Kenya
Exports of medical needles by Kenya reached $482 thousand in 2024 (33 tonnes). Most of it went to Zambia (27%), Ethiopia (17%), Jordan (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Mali grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $130K | 27% |
| Ethiopia | $81K | 17% |
| Jordan | $62K | 13% |
| Rwanda | $55K | 12% |
| DR Congo | $33K | 6.8% |
| Afghanistan | $30K | 6.2% |
| Somalia | $19K | 4% |
| South Sudan | $17K | 3.6% |
| Mali | $13K | 2.7% |
| Burkina Faso | $9K | 1.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya medical needles imports (HS 9018.32): 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 9018.32: Medical, surgical instruments and appliances: tubular metal needles and needles for sutures.
Common questions
What is the value of medical needles imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported medical needles worth $3.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 215 tonnes. That ranks it 71st of 211 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 33% on 2023.
Which countries supply medical needles to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 36% of the value ($1.2 million), followed by the United States (22%) and Spain (10%). The top three together account for 69%, out of 35 supplier countries in total. France grew fastest among the top ten, up 572% on the year.
What is the average import price of medical needles per kg?
The average declared import value was about $14.99 per kg in 2024, 62% below the world average of $39.17 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of medical needles to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.4 million in 2017 to $3.2 million in 2024, an increase of 33%. The peak was 2021 at $3.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.8 million a year.
Does Kenya also export medical needles?
Yes. Kenya exported $482 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, Ethiopia and Jordan. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $2.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for medical needles?
The HS code for medical needles is subheading 9018.32. It sits in HS chapter 90 (optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 9018 page.
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
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