South Africa Exports More To Kenya than the United States

South Africa has beaten the United States of America in terms of exports flowing into Kenya for a period of eight months.

According to data and stats released by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, (KNBS), Kenya’s imports from South Africa grew by 11 billion shillings, selling goods worth 42.7 billion shillings to Kenya more than what the United States of America exported to Kenya during the period under review. This was a 34 percent growth. Imports from South Africa to Kenya included such goods such as wines and other alcoholic drinks, cars as well as spare parts, oil lubricants, and machinery.

The data from KNBS also indicates that China is the biggest seller of goods to Kenya. In the eight months under review, China sold to Kenya goods worth 273 billion shillings. Most of the goods sold to Kenya from Chima were machinery including spare parts for the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway.

India came in second as the main seller to Kenya. Kenya bought goods worth 117 billion shillings from India. India has also remained instrumental in offering Kenyans medical services in such diseases as cancer.

The United States exported goods worth 40.2 billion shillings to Kenya. This was an increase from 34.2 billion shillings recorded at the same time last year.

From the stats by Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, Kenya is buying more than selling from her friends. For instance, despite Kenya buying more from South Africa, the country was not among the top buyers of goods from Kenya. The country only bought goods that were less than 5 billion shillings.

Kenya exports mostly agricultural products but the prevailing dry season during the period under review saw the exports dwindle. Tourism in Kenya remains among the revenue earner for the country with more visitors expected in the country this festive season.