Kenya - Balance commerciale

Kenya's trade deficit decreased to KES 23.2 billion in August 2019 from KES 98.3 billion in the same month of the previous year. This is the smallest monthly trade deficit since March, as imports tumbled 11.4 percent to KES 132.8 billion, mainly dragged down by machinery & transport equipment (-14.1 percent); manufactured goods (-9.6 percent); mineral fuels, lubricants (-35.4 percent) and chemicals (-8.9 percent). In contrast, purchases increased for food & live animals (25.3 percent) and crude materials inedible except fuels (4.7 percent). Meantime, exports fell at a softer 2.7 percent to KES 49.6 billion, amid lower shipments of tea (-4.7 percent); chemicals (-12.7 percent); coffee (-5 percent) and fish (-16.1 percent). Conversely, overseas sales grew considerably for petroleum (641.5 percent) and horticultural products (14 percent).

Kenya's trade deficit rose to KES 93.5 billion in June 2019 from KES 89.6 billion in the same month a year ago. Exports fell 3.4 percent to KES 51.1 billion, as shipments declined markedly for tea (-42.6 percent) and coffee (-26.2 percent) while surged for vegetables (33.9 percent). The country's farmers have been struggling with prolonged drought and erratic weather. In contrast, imports advanced 1.5 percent to KES 144.6 billion, boosted by mineral fuels & lubricants (11.6 percent); machinery & transport equipment (4.7 percent); manufactured goods (1.4 percent); chemicals (7.3 percent); crude materials, except fuels (38.3 percent) and beverages & tobacco (30.8 percent).

Kenya’s trade deficit narrowed to KES 108.4 billion in May of 2019 from KES 112.7 billion in the corresponding month of the previous year. Exports slumped 16 percent to KES 0.464 billion and imports fell 7.8 percent to KES 154.9 billion.

Kenya's trade deficit rose to KES 101.6 billion in April 2019 from KES 100 billion in the same month a year ago. Exports advanced only 0.5 percent to KES 43.4 million, as higher sales of chemicals (6.4 percent), fish (54.9 percent) and petroleum (87 percent) were offset by declines in those of vegetables (-0.2 percent); tea (-12.2 percent); coffee (-13.4 percent) and cement (-83.5 percent). The country's overall crop output has been hit by prolonged drought conditions, causing substantial delays in planting operations. Imports increased 0.2 percent to KES 150.4 billion, boosted by food & live animals (9.3 percent); mineral fuels (18.2 percent); crude materials (38 percent) and beverages & tobacco (18.3 percent). In contrast, purchases fell for chemicals (-14.2 percent); machinery & transport equipment (-9.9 percent) and manufactured goods (-0.4 percent).

Kenya's trade deficit shrank to KES 72.2 billion in March 2019 from KES 101 billion in the same month a year ago. Exports rose 3.3% to KES 52.7 million, amid higher sales of coffee (0.9%); cut-flowers (5%) and machinery & equipment (151.9%). In contrast, those of tea (-5.4%); fruits (-15.4%); vegetables (-12.9%); fuels & lubricants (-39%); industrial supplies (-1.9%) declined. Shipments went up mostly to the US (8%); the UK (13.5%); Tanzania (9.5%) and Egypt (46.8%). Imports tumbled 17.8 percent to KES 124.9 billion, on lower purchases of industrial supplies (-11.5%); fuels & lubricants (-29.1%); machinery and equipment (-2.5%); food & beverages (-8.8%) and transport equipment (-30%). Imports fell mostly from the UAE (-64.7%); China (-49%); South Africa (-12.8%) and India (-4.5%).

Kenya's trade deficit rose to KES 90.4 billion in February 2019 from KES 71.7 billion in the same month a year ago. Imports climbed 9.6% to KES 141.3 billion, mainly driven by purchases of machinery & transport equipment (57.3%); mineral fuels, lubricants (15.7%); chemicals (3.6%) and beverages & tobacco (5.5%). Conversely, declines were registered for food & live animals (-27.7%); animals & vegetable oils and fats (-37%) and manufactured goods (-3.6%). Imports rose mainly from Germany (51.7%), the UK (13.6%), Japan (7.2%) and South Africa (1.7%) but fell sharply from India (-13.8%), Saudi Arabia (-31.4%) and the US (-12.5%). On the other hand, exports slipped 11.1% to KES 50.9 billion, amid lower sales of tea (-34.2%); petroleum (-53.5%); fish (-17%) and cement (-75.1%). Conversely, shipments went up for coffee (18.2%); chemicals (1.4%) and horticultural products (2.6%). Overseas sales fell mostly to Uganda (-10.1%), Pakistan (-38.7%), Egypt (-27.4%) and the UK (-12.9%).