Soda ash imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $4.3 million of soda ash in 2024 (15.6 thousand tonnes). The value was almost unchanged from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 24% 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 | $4.3M | 15.6K t |
| 2023 | $4.4M | 12.0K t |
| 2022 | $4.2M | 9.4K t |
| 2021 | $2.9M | 10.4K t |
| 2020 | $2.6M | 10.8K t |
| 2019 | $2.2M | 8.9K t |
| 2018 | $2.3M | 9.1K t |
| 2017 | $954K | 4.1K t |
Where Kenya imports soda ash from
The largest suppliers were India (30%), China (25%), Turkey (16%). Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest (+204% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $1.3M | 30% |
| China | $1.1M | 25% |
| Turkey | $686K | 16% |
| Italy | $615K | 14% |
| Bosnia Herzegovina | $233K | 5.4% |
| Spain | $120K | 2.8% |
| Belgium | $95K | 2.2% |
| Netherlands | $74K | 1.7% |
| Bulgaria | $61K | 1.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $52K | 1.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.28 per kg, close to the world average of $0.26.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Soda ash exports from Kenya
In 2024, Kenya exported soda ash worth $60.1 million (246.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Most of it went to India (29%), Thailand (28%), Uganda (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest (+261% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $17.4M | 29% |
| Thailand | $16.7M | 28% |
| Uganda | $7.5M | 12% |
| Tanzania | $6.9M | 12% |
| Philippines | $4.6M | 7.7% |
| Pakistan | $1.8M | 3% |
| Ethiopia | $1.5M | 2.6% |
| South Africa | $1.5M | 2.5% |
| China | $1.2M | 2% |
| Vietnam | $772K | 1.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya soda ash imports (HS 2836.20): 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 2836.20: Carbonates: disodium carbonate.
Common questions
What is the value of soda ash imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported soda ash worth $4.3 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 15.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 80th of 196 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 0% on 2023.
Which countries supply soda ash to Kenya?
India was the largest supplier with 30% of the value ($1.3 million), followed by China (25%) and Turkey (16%). The top three together account for 70%, out of 14 supplier countries in total. Italy grew fastest among the top ten, up 204% on the year.
What is the average import price of soda ash per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.28 per kg in 2024, 8% above the world average of $0.26 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of soda ash to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $954 thousand in 2017 to $4.3 million in 2024, an increase of 356%. The peak was 2023 at $4.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $3.0 million a year.
Does Kenya also export soda ash?
Yes. Kenya exported $60.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to India, Thailand and Uganda. That compares with imports of $4.3 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for soda ash?
The HS code for soda ash is subheading 2836.20. It sits in HS chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2836 page.
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.
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