Soap exports from Kenya: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of soap by Kenya reached $99.4 million in 2024 (107.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 28% 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 | $99.4M | 107.3K t |
| 2023 | $97.1M | 102.9K t |
| 2022 | $98.1M | 86.5K t |
| 2021 | $96.8M | 115.0K t |
| 2020 | $76.7M | 110.6K t |
| 2019 | $60.9M | 89.9K t |
| 2018 | $40.9M | 51.2K t |
| 2017 | $17.7M | 26.4K t |
Where Kenya exports soap to
Most of it went to Tanzania (42%), Uganda (26%), Rwanda (6%). Among the main buyer markets, Rwanda grew fastest (+67% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $41.9M | 42% |
| Uganda | $25.8M | 26% |
| Rwanda | $6.0M | 6.1% |
| Somalia | $5.1M | 5.1% |
| Malawi | $5.1M | 5.1% |
| South Sudan | $2.9M | 2.9% |
| Zambia | $2.7M | 2.7% |
| Oman | $1.9M | 1.9% |
| Ethiopia | $1.8M | 1.8% |
| Djibouti | $1.6M | 1.6% |
Product types under HS 3401
| 3401.19 | Industrial bar soap | 71% |
| 3401.11 | Toilet bar soap | 22% |
| 3401.20 | Liquid and cream soap | 6.5% |
| 3401.30 | Liquid skin wash | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3401.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.93 per kg, 60% below the world average of $2.31, 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.
Soap imports to Kenya
In 2024, Kenya imported soap worth $26.2 million (32.8 thousand tonnes). Most of the value came from Tanzania (46%), Indonesia (17%), Egypt (5%). Among the main suppliers, Tanzania grew fastest (+631% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $12.2M | 46% |
| Indonesia | $4.5M | 17% |
| Egypt | $1.4M | 5.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $1.4M | 5.2% |
| China | $1.3M | 4.9% |
| Turkey | $1.1M | 4.1% |
| Brazil | $621K | 2.4% |
| India | $475K | 1.8% |
| South Africa | $400K | 1.5% |
| Switzerland | $262K | 1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya soap exports (HS 3401): 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 3401: Soap; organic surface-active preparations used as soap, skin washing, in bars, cakes, moulded pieces, shapes, liquid or cream, containing soap or not; for retail, paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent.
Common questions
What is the value of soap exported by Kenya?
Kenya exported soap worth $99.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 107.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 33rd of 207 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 2% on 2023.
Which countries buy soap from Kenya?
Tanzania was the largest buyer with 42% of the value ($41.9 million), followed by Uganda (26%) and Rwanda (6%). The top three together account for 74%, out of 62 buyer countries in total. Oman grew fastest among the top ten, up 87% on the year.
What is the average export price of soap per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.93 per kg in 2024, 60% below the world average of $2.31 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of soap from Kenya changed since 2017?
Exports went from $17.7 million in 2017 to $99.4 million in 2024, an increase of 462%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $73.4 million a year.
Does Kenya also import soap?
Yes. Kenya imported $26.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Tanzania, Indonesia and Egypt. On balance Kenya is a net exporter of this product, by about $73.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for soap?
The HS code for soap is heading 3401. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 3401.19 (71% of the value) and 3401.11 (22%).
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.
Same product, other countries
Soap product types in Kenya
More trade data for Kenya
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