Reduced iron and sponge iron imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of reduced iron and sponge iron by Kenya reached $14.4 million in 2024 (35.8 thousand tonnes). Value rose 16% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 67% a year on average.
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 | $14.4M | 35.8K t |
| 2023 | $12.4M | 32.3K t |
| 2022 | $32K | 86 t |
| 2021 | $1.1M | 2.3K t |
| 2020 | $70K | 271 t |
| 2019 | $2.8M | 9.8K t |
| 2018 | $3.6M | 10.9K t |
| 2017 | $400K | 1.4K t |
Where Kenya imports reduced iron and sponge iron from
Uganda alone supplied 86% of it. Among the main suppliers, South Africa grew fastest (+385% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $12.3M | 86% |
| South Africa | $1.9M | 13% |
| India | $189K | 1.3% |
| China | $4K | 0% |
| United States | $0K | 0% |
Product types under HS 7203
| 7203.10 | Ferrous products: obtained by direct reduction of iron ore, in lumps, pellets or similar forms | 100% |
| 7203.90 | Sponge iron | 0% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 7203.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.40 per kg, 33% above the world average of $0.30. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya reduced iron and sponge iron imports (HS 7203): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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 7203: Ferrous products obtained by direct reduction of iron ore and other spongy ferrous products, in lumps, pellets or the like; iron having a minimum purity of 99.94%, in lumps, pellets or similar forms.
Common questions
What is the value of reduced iron and sponge iron imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported reduced iron and sponge iron worth $14.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 35.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 147 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 16% on 2023.
Which countries supply reduced iron and sponge iron to Kenya?
Uganda was the largest supplier with 86% of the value ($12.3 million), followed by South Africa (13%) and India (1%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 5 supplier countries in total. South Africa grew fastest among the top ten, up 385% on the year.
What is the average import price of reduced iron and sponge iron per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.40 per kg in 2024, 33% above the world average of $0.30 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of reduced iron and sponge iron to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $400 thousand in 2017 to $14.4 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $4.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for reduced iron and sponge iron?
The HS code for reduced iron and sponge iron is heading 7203. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 7203.10 (100% of the value) and 7203.90 (0%).
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 reduced iron and sponge iron trade: top importers and exporters
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.