Steel nails exports from Kenya: data, top buyers and prices
Kenya exported $12.1 million of steel nails in 2024 (13.5 thousand tonnes). That is 31% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 176% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $23.5 million.
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 | $12.1M | 13.5K t |
| 2023 | $17.4M | 18.5K t |
| 2022 | $23.5M | 16.9K t |
| 2021 | $9.4M | 9.7K t |
| 2020 | $2.0M | 2.4K t |
| 2019 | $1.4M | 1.8K t |
| 2018 | $641K | 674 t |
| 2017 | $10K | 12 t |
Where Kenya exports steel nails to
The largest buyer markets were Uganda (36%), United States (32%), Rwanda (20%). Among the main buyer markets, Uganda grew fastest (+146% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $4.4M | 37% |
| United States | $3.9M | 32% |
| Rwanda | $2.5M | 20% |
| Tanzania | $676K | 5.6% |
| DR Congo | $345K | 2.9% |
| Burundi | $168K | 1.4% |
| South Sudan | $113K | 0.9% |
| Nigeria | $1K | 0% |
| Somalia | $1K | 0% |
| Netherlands | $0K | 0% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.89 per kg, 44% below the world average of $1.60, 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.
Steel nails imports to Kenya
Imports of steel nails by Kenya reached $5.8 million in 2024 (4.4 thousand tonnes). China alone supplied 85% of it. Among the main suppliers, Egypt grew fastest (+68% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $4.9M | 85% |
| Uganda | $481K | 8.3% |
| Egypt | $325K | 5.6% |
| United States | $21K | 0.4% |
| India | $15K | 0.3% |
| Mozambique | $13K | 0.2% |
| Turkey | $4K | 0.1% |
| Germany | $4K | 0.1% |
| United Kingdom | $4K | 0.1% |
| Qatar | $3K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya steel nails exports (HS 7317): 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 7317: Nails, tacks, drawing pins, corrugated nails, staples (not those of heading no. 8305) and the like, of iron or steel, with heads of other material or not, but excluding articles with heads of copper.
Common questions
What is the value of steel nails exported by Kenya?
Kenya exported steel nails worth $12.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 160 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 31% on 2023.
Which countries buy steel nails from Kenya?
Uganda was the largest buyer with 36% of the value ($4.4 million), followed by the United States (32%) and Rwanda (20%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 14 buyer countries in total. South Sudan grew fastest among the top ten, up 232% on the year.
What is the average export price of steel nails per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.89 per kg in 2024, 44% below the world average of $1.60 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of steel nails from Kenya changed since 2017?
Exports went from $10 thousand in 2017 to $12.1 million in 2024. The peak was 2022 at $23.5 million. Over 8 years the average was $8.3 million a year.
Does Kenya also import steel nails?
Yes. Kenya imported $5.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Uganda and Egypt. On balance Kenya is a net exporter of this product, by about $6.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for steel nails?
The HS code for steel nails is heading 7317. In Kenya all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 7317.00. It sits in HS chapter 73 (iron or steel articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7317 page.
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.
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