Kenya and the United Kingdom have had mutually beneficial relationships throughout the majority of their shared history. Given their economic importance, the two countries’ trading has been extremely strong. These two countries trade a vast range of goods, including cars, coffee, and vegetables, all of which are vital to their respective economies.
In Q3 2023, the UK imported £377 million (48.9%) in services and £394 million (51.1%) in items from Kenya, as reported by the Department for Business and Trade.
During the same period, UK imports of services from Kenya climbed by 49.6%, or £125 million in current prices, compared to the four quarters ending in Q3 2022. at contrast, UK imports of products from Kenya decreased by 5.7%, or £24 million, at current prices.
As a result, the UK had a £136 million total trade deficit with Kenya, compared to a £74 million trade deficit in the four quarters preceding the end of Q3 2022.
“Meanwhile, in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2023 the UK reported a trade in services deficit of £48 million with Kenya, compared to a trade in services surplus of £26 million in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2022,” the report reads.
“In the four quarters to the end of Q3 2023, Kenya was the UK’s 81st largest trading partner (accounting for 0.1% of total UK trade). 73rd largest goods trading partner (0.1% of UK goods trade). 76th largest services trading partner (0.1% of UK services trade).”the report added.
Having stated that these are the five goods that Kenya supplied to the UK in 2023.
| Rank | Product | Trade value (Q3 2022 – Q3 2023) | % of overall trade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Other crude animal & vegetable materials | £132.3 million | 33.2% |
| 2. | Vegetables & fruit | £118.7 million | 29.8% |
| 3. | Coffee, tea, cocoa etc | £95.6 million | 24.0% |
| 4. | Mechanical power generators | £16.9 million | 4.3% |
| 5. | Other manufactures (capital) | £10.5 million | 2.6% |