Kenya Agricultural Trade – Opportunities for US Exporters in a Changing Landscape
Kenya’s economy experienced robust growth over the past decade, fueled by a youthful population, an expanding middle class, and significant development in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and retail. Although agriculture remains a cornerstone of the economy, the country grapples with challenges like food insecurity, erratic weather patterns, and land degradation. Nevertheless, agricultural trade has continued to grow, with Kenya’s agricultural exports reaching \$4.3 billion in 2024. In international trade, the European Union (EU) enjoys advantages from favorable agreements, whereas the United States faces hurdles due to higher tariffs and regulatory barriers. Still, U.S. agricultural exports hold promising opportunities in sectors such as wheat, soybean oil, dairy ingredients, and processed foods, particularly as they align with the demands of Kenya’s increasingly urban and affluent middle class.