Specialized machinery imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of specialized machinery by Kenya reached $65.5 million in 2024 (7.1 thousand tonnes). That is 14% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $111.3 million.
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 | $65.5M | 7.1K t |
| 2023 | $57.3M | 5.4K t |
| 2022 | $111.3M | 10.0K t |
| 2021 | $76.5M | 12.3K t |
| 2020 | $65.4M | 6.6K t |
| 2019 | $56.3M | 4.4K t |
| 2018 | $45.4M | 2.4K t |
| 2017 | $50.5M | 3.6K t |
Where Kenya imports specialized machinery from
Most of the value came from China (33%), India (20%), United States (10%). Among the main suppliers, Poland grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $21.8M | 33% |
| India | $12.9M | 20% |
| United States | $6.4M | 9.8% |
| Germany | $6.3M | 9.7% |
| Italy | $5.0M | 7.6% |
| Turkey | $2.8M | 4.3% |
| Poland | $1.5M | 2.3% |
| South Korea | $953K | 1.5% |
| Israel | $734K | 1.1% |
| Netherlands | $602K | 0.9% |
Product types under HS 8479
| 8479.89 | Specialized machinery (other types) | 64% |
| 8479.90 | Specialized machinery parts | 15% |
| 8479.82 | Industrial mixing and homogenizing machines | 8.6% |
| 8479.20 | Oil extraction and pressing machinery | 5.3% |
| 8479.50 | Industrial robots | 2.6% |
| 8479.10 | Construction and public works machinery | 1.5% |
| 8479.30 | Particle board and wood treatment machinery | 1.1% |
| 8479.81 | Metal treating and winding machinery | 0.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8479.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $9.18 per kg, 51% below the world average of $18.55, 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.
Specialized machinery exports from Kenya
In 2024, Kenya exported specialized machinery worth $1.9 million (338 tonnes). Most of it went to Mozambique (16%), Indonesia (13%), Tanzania (11%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 40%. Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest (+342% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $304K | 16% |
| Indonesia | $254K | 13% |
| Tanzania | $223K | 11% |
| Uganda | $175K | 9% |
| Netherlands | $159K | 8.2% |
| Italy | $143K | 7.4% |
| Canada | $135K | 7% |
| Togo | $102K | 5.2% |
| Nigeria | $72K | 3.7% |
| South Africa | $59K | 3% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya specialized machinery imports (HS 8479): 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 8479: Machinery and mechanical appliances; having individual functions, n.e.c. in this chapter.
Common questions
What is the value of specialized machinery imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported specialized machinery worth $65.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 88th of 224 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 14% on 2023.
Which countries supply specialized machinery to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 33% of the value ($21.8 million), followed by India (20%) and the United States (10%). The top three together account for 63%, out of 69 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 252% on the year.
What is the average import price of specialized machinery per kg?
The average declared import value was about $9.18 per kg in 2024, 51% below the world average of $18.55 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of specialized machinery to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $50.5 million in 2017 to $65.5 million in 2024, an increase of 30%. The peak was 2022 at $111.3 million. Over 8 years the average was $66.0 million a year.
Does Kenya also export specialized machinery?
Yes. Kenya exported $1.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mozambique, Indonesia and Tanzania. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $63.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for specialized machinery?
The HS code for specialized machinery is heading 8479. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 8479.89 (64% of the value) and 8479.90 (15%).
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
World specialized machinery trade: top importers and exporters
Specialized machinery product types in Kenya
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