Medicinal plants exports from Kenya: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of medicinal plants by Kenya reached $45.0 million in 2024 (13.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 11% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 25% 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 | $45.0M | 13.6K t |
| 2023 | $50.8M | 15.9K t |
| 2022 | $42.3M | 12.3K t |
| 2021 | $23.8M | 5.7K t |
| 2020 | $20.5M | 4.9K t |
| 2019 | $11.8M | 3.0K t |
| 2018 | $16.3M | 3.2K t |
| 2017 | $9.4M | 1.5K t |
Where Kenya exports medicinal plants to
Most of it went to Netherlands (41%), United Kingdom (19%), Somalia (9%). Among the main buyer markets, Denmark grew fastest (+182% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | $18.7M | 42% |
| United Kingdom | $8.7M | 19% |
| Somalia | $4.2M | 9.3% |
| Germany | $3.2M | 7.1% |
| Saudi Arabia | $2.0M | 4.4% |
| Denmark | $1.7M | 3.9% |
| Italy | $1.0M | 2.3% |
| Switzerland | $967K | 2.2% |
| France | $705K | 1.6% |
| Czech Republic | $705K | 1.6% |
Product types under HS 1211
| 1211.90 | Plants and parts (including seeds and fruits) n.e.c. in heading no. 1211, of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal… | 100% |
| 1211.20 | Ginseng roots | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 1211.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.31 per kg, close to the world average of $3.90.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Medicinal plants imports to Kenya
Imports of medicinal plants by Kenya reached $9.3 million in 2024 (4.0 thousand tonnes). DR Congo alone supplied 63% of it. Among the main suppliers, South Africa grew fastest (+72% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $5.9M | 63% |
| Tanzania | $1.2M | 13% |
| Belgium | $766K | 8.3% |
| South Africa | $390K | 4.2% |
| Germany | $345K | 3.7% |
| Uganda | $138K | 1.5% |
| Turkey | $110K | 1.2% |
| Ethiopia | $100K | 1.1% |
| India | $79K | 0.9% |
| Israel | $70K | 0.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya medicinal plants exports (HS 1211): 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 1211: Plants and parts of plants (including seeds and fruits), of a kind used primarily in perfumery, in pharmacy or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes, fresh, chilled, frozen or dried, whether or not cut, crushed or powdered.
Common questions
What is the value of medicinal plants exported by Kenya?
Kenya exported medicinal plants worth $45.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 23rd of 194 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 11% on 2023.
Which countries buy medicinal plants from Kenya?
The Netherlands was the largest buyer with 41% of the value ($18.7 million), followed by the United Kingdom (19%) and Somalia (9%). The top three together account for 70%, out of 77 buyer countries in total. Denmark grew fastest among the top ten, up 182% on the year.
What is the average export price of medicinal plants per kg?
The average declared export value was about $3.31 per kg in 2024, 15% below the world average of $3.90 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of medicinal plants from Kenya changed since 2017?
Exports went from $9.4 million in 2017 to $45.0 million in 2024, an increase of 378%. The peak was 2023 at $50.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $27.5 million a year.
Does Kenya also import medicinal plants?
Yes. Kenya imported $9.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from the DR Congo, Tanzania and Belgium. On balance Kenya is a net exporter of this product, by about $35.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for medicinal plants?
The HS code for medicinal plants is heading 1211. In Kenya all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 1211.90. It sits in HS chapter 12 (oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruit, industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1211 page.
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.
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