Kenya’s trading patterns with the United Kingdom (UK) have shown a shift from the commonly known products, with the list of exports to the country being topped by vegetables and other crude animal materials in 2023.
In a similar period in 2022, coffee, tea and spices topped the chart. However, the 2023 report revealed that the exports of vegetables and other crude animal materials amounted to Ksh 22.8 billion (£132.3 million) accounting for 33.2 per cent of the trade.
The second export to the country was vegetables and fruit which were Ksh20.5 billion (£118.7 million), which was 29.8 per cent of the trade.
Notably, coffee, tea, and cocoa came in third at 24 per cent of the trade amounting to Ksh16.4 billion (£95.6 million), as opposed to previous years where the products have been the leading export.
An interesting export of Kenya to the country featured mechanical power generators which accounted for Ksh2.9 billion (£16.9 million) as 4.3 per cent of the total trade.
Finally on the top five list were other manufacturers (capital) at Ksh1.8 billion (£10.5 million) 2.6 per cent of the total export goods traded.
However, the ranking of the exports was not the only shift witnessed as trade between the two countries saw Kenya export more services to the country recording a surplus
“Meanwhile, in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2023 the UK reported a trade in services deficit of Ksh8.3 billion (£48 million) with Kenya, compared to a trade in services surplus of Ksh4.4 billion (£26 million) in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2022,” the report read in part.
Additionally, Kenya was ranked the 81st nation when it came to trading with the UK accounting for trade worth 0.1 per cent of the trade in the country.
“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 explained.
However, Kenya may experience a decline in trade of services in the year 2024 owing to migration cuts in the UK.
At the beginning of the year, Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, announced that the country would deliver migration cuts such as banning dependants of students and care workers from migrating to the country.
