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Kenya plans to import 1.05 million tonnes of palm oil during the 2025/2026 season, a level close to the highest ever recorded.
Malaysia supplies around 90% of Kenya’s palm oil imports, far ahead of Indonesia since 2019.
Kenya is a regional hub, re-exporting around 10% of refined palm oil to neighboring countries.
The country depends heavily on palm oil, which accounts for more than 90% of its total oils and fats consumption.
With almost no local production, Kenya depends entirely on imports to meet demand.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) expects Kenya’s palm oil imports to reach 1.05 million tonnes in the 2025/2026 season.
This volume is close to the 1.1 million-tonne peak recorded in 2020, making it one of the highest import levels ever for East Africa’s largest economy.
Kenya’s growing appetite for palm oil is driven by rising consumption among households and food companies, along with population growth.
Kenya ranks eighth globally among the largest palm oil importers. Crude palm oil (CPO) accounts for around 90% of these imports, which local industries need for refining and benefit from through preferential duties.
Malaysia accounts for the largest share of Kenya’s import market. Since 2021, Malaysia has supplied 90% of Kenya’s palm oil imports, compared with only 19% in 2019.
This shift is attributed to Malaysia’s competitive prices and export focus, while Indonesia’s exports have declined because of higher domestic demand and export restrictions in recent years.
Kenya remains Africa’s second-largest palm oil importer after Egypt, but it also plays a role as a regional logistics hub.
The country re-exports around 10% of refined palm oil to neighboring markets such as Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda.