Packaged medicines imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of packaged medicines by Kenya reached $556.7 million in 2024 (35.0 thousand tonnes). That is 15% 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 | $556.7M | 35.0K t |
| 2023 | $483.6M | 33.4K t |
| 2022 | $576.9M | 31.1K t |
| 2021 | $608.0M | 26.7K t |
| 2020 | $498.5M | 29.2K t |
| 2019 | $470.8M | 19.5K t |
| 2018 | $415.7M | 20.5K t |
| 2017 | $363.9M | 14.0K t |
Where Kenya imports packaged medicines from
One supplier dominates: India accounted for 55% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+120% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $306.7M | 55% |
| Switzerland | $35.2M | 6.3% |
| China | $29.0M | 5.2% |
| Germany | $23.8M | 4.3% |
| Pakistan | $22.9M | 4.1% |
| France | $22.7M | 4.1% |
| United Kingdom | $15.2M | 2.7% |
| Netherlands | $11.3M | 2% |
| Sweden | $10.5M | 1.9% |
| Bangladesh | $10.3M | 1.8% |
Product types under HS 3004
| 3004.90 | Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale | 80% |
| 3004.20 | Antibiotic medicines (packaged) | 5.2% |
| 3004.60 | Antimalarial medicines (packaged) | 4.3% |
| 3004.39 | Hormone medicines (packaged) | 3.8% |
| 3004.10 | Penicillin and streptomycin medicines (packaged) | 3.3% |
| 3004.32 | Corticosteroid medicines (packaged) | 1.1% |
| 3004.50 | Vitamin medicines (packaged) | 1% |
| 3004.31 | Insulin medicines (packaged) | 0.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3004.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $15.89 per kg, 80% below the world average of $80.84, 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.
Packaged medicines exports from Kenya
Kenya exported $161.5 million of packaged medicines in 2024 (19.9 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Tanzania (20%), Uganda (18%), Somalia (9%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 47%. Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+243% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $31.5M | 20% |
| Uganda | $29.3M | 18% |
| Somalia | $14.7M | 9.1% |
| DR Congo | $13.3M | 8.3% |
| Malawi | $12.0M | 7.4% |
| Ethiopia | $11.0M | 6.8% |
| Rwanda | $10.3M | 6.4% |
| Zambia | $7.8M | 4.8% |
| Mozambique | $6.6M | 4.1% |
| South Sudan | $5.7M | 3.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya packaged medicines imports (HS 3004): 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 3004: Medicaments; (not goods of heading no. 3002, 3005 or 3006) consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic use, put up in measured doses (incl. those in the form of transdermal admin. systems) or packed for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of packaged medicines imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported packaged medicines worth $556.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 35.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 73rd of 225 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 15% on 2023.
Which countries supply packaged medicines to Kenya?
India was the largest supplier with 55% of the value ($306.7 million), followed by Switzerland (6%) and China (5%). The top three together account for 67%, out of 89 supplier countries in total. Germany grew fastest among the top ten, up 120% on the year.
What is the average import price of packaged medicines per kg?
The average declared import value was about $15.89 per kg in 2024, 80% below the world average of $80.84 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of packaged medicines to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $363.9 million in 2017 to $556.7 million in 2024, an increase of 53%. The peak was 2021 at $608.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $496.8 million a year.
Does Kenya also export packaged medicines?
Yes. Kenya exported $161.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Tanzania, Uganda and Somalia. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $395.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for packaged medicines?
The HS code for packaged medicines is heading 3004. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 3004.90 (80% of the value) and 3004.20 (5%).
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
Packaged medicines product types in Kenya
More trade data for Kenya
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