Steel I-sections imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of steel i-sections by Kenya reached $9.2 million in 2024 (12.5 thousand tonnes). Value rose 14% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 13% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $17.4 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 | $9.2M | 12.5K t |
| 2023 | $8.1M | 9.9K t |
| 2022 | $13.0M | 13.6K t |
| 2021 | $17.4M | 21.0K t |
| 2020 | $9.5M | 15.7K t |
| 2019 | $11.6M | 18.0K t |
| 2018 | $3.4M | 5.7K t |
| 2017 | $3.9M | 5.2K t |
Where Kenya imports steel i-sections from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 93% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $8.6M | 93% |
| South Africa | $223K | 2.4% |
| India | $139K | 1.5% |
| United Arab Emirates | $123K | 1.3% |
| Bahrain | $91K | 1% |
| Germany | $32K | 0.3% |
| Sri Lanka | $3K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.73 per kg, close to the world average of $0.82.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Steel I-sections exports from Kenya
Exports of steel i-sections by Kenya reached $299 thousand in 2024 (261 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Rwanda (48%), Uganda (24%), South Sudan (10%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Rwanda | $143K | 48% |
| Uganda | $73K | 24% |
| South Sudan | $29K | 9.9% |
| Burundi | $25K | 8.4% |
| DR Congo | $21K | 7% |
| Tanzania | $7K | 2.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya steel i-sections imports (HS 7216.32): 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 7216.32: Iron or non-alloy steel: I sections, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or extruded, of a height of 80mm or more.
Common questions
What is the value of steel i-sections imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported steel i-sections worth $9.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 12.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 56th of 199 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 14% on 2023.
Which countries supply steel i-sections to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 93% of the value ($8.6 million), followed by South Africa (2%) and India (2%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 7 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 31% on the year.
What is the average import price of steel i-sections per kg?
The average declared import value was about $0.73 per kg in 2024, 11% below the world average of $0.82 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of steel i-sections to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.9 million in 2017 to $9.2 million in 2024, an increase of 136%. The peak was 2021 at $17.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $9.5 million a year.
Does Kenya also export steel i-sections?
Yes. Kenya exported $299 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Rwanda, Uganda and South Sudan. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $8.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for steel i-sections?
The HS code for steel i-sections is subheading 7216.32. It sits in HS chapter 72 (iron and steel). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7216 page.
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.
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