Toilet bar soap exports from Kenya: data, top buyers and prices
Kenya exported $21.9 million of toilet bar soap in 2024 (18.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value fell 7% from 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 50% 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 | $21.9M | 18.0K t |
| 2023 | $23.6M | 19.0K t |
| 2022 | $17.7M | 11.1K t |
| 2021 | $12.1M | 10.2K t |
| 2020 | $12.0M | 11.2K t |
| 2019 | $9.5M | 8.0K t |
| 2018 | $7.1M | 6.5K t |
| 2017 | $1.3M | 2.2K t |
Where Kenya exports toilet bar soap to
Tanzania alone took 53% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Rwanda grew fastest (+113% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $11.5M | 53% |
| Uganda | $7.4M | 34% |
| Rwanda | $976K | 4.5% |
| Zambia | $576K | 2.6% |
| DR Congo | $377K | 1.7% |
| South Sudan | $367K | 1.7% |
| Malawi | $288K | 1.3% |
| Ghana | $119K | 0.5% |
| Zimbabwe | $104K | 0.5% |
| Somalia | $65K | 0.3% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.22 per kg, 48% below the world average of $2.35, 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.
Toilet bar soap imports to Kenya
In 2024, Kenya imported toilet bar soap worth $6.4 million (2.5 thousand tonnes). One supplier dominates: Indonesia accounted for 53% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Indonesia grew fastest (+163% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | $3.4M | 53% |
| Egypt | $1.1M | 17% |
| South Africa | $284K | 4.5% |
| Turkey | $253K | 4% |
| India | $250K | 3.9% |
| Vietnam | $197K | 3.1% |
| Thailand | $195K | 3.1% |
| Uganda | $166K | 2.6% |
| Spain | $144K | 2.3% |
| China | $105K | 1.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya toilet bar soap exports (HS 3401.11): 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 3401.11: Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent, for toilet use (including medicated products).
Common questions
What is the value of toilet bar soap exported by Kenya?
Kenya exported toilet bar soap worth $21.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 18.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 32nd of 187 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was down 7% on 2023.
Which countries buy toilet bar soap from Kenya?
Tanzania was the largest buyer with 53% of the value ($11.5 million), followed by Uganda (34%) and Rwanda (4%). The top three together account for 91%, out of 41 buyer countries in total. Rwanda grew fastest among the top ten, up 113% on the year.
What is the average export price of toilet bar soap per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.22 per kg in 2024, 48% below the world average of $2.35 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of toilet bar soap from Kenya changed since 2017?
Exports went from $1.3 million in 2017 to $21.9 million in 2024. The peak was 2023 at $23.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $13.1 million a year.
Does Kenya also import toilet bar soap?
Yes. Kenya imported $6.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Indonesia, Egypt and South Africa. On balance Kenya is a net exporter of this product, by about $15.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for toilet bar soap?
The HS code for toilet bar soap is subheading 3401.11. It sits in HS chapter 34 (soap, organic surface-active agents; washing, lubricating, polishing or scouring preparations; artificial or prepared waxes, candles and similar articles, modelling pastes, dental waxes and dental preparations with a basis of plaster). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3401 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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