Kenya Agribusiness New Sources of Fertilizers and Inputs

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, fertilizer prices in Kenya have risen approximately by 30 percent.  Historically, Kenya has relied on Russia for a sizable proportion of its fertilizer needs but it has been forced to find new suppliers due to sanctions on Russian exports.  Overall, Kenya’s imports of chemical fertilizers components including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, declined by 48% between April and June 2022 when compared to the year before, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.  This decline has created new opportunities for U.S. fertilizer suppliers to fill in the gap.  

Additionally, the GoK is now allowing the private sector to import fertilizer components to blend them in the country for specific crops.  The GoK is also encouraging private sector investments to establish fully-fledged fertilizer production in Kenya.  Organic fertilizer is increasing farmers’ crop yield by 30 percent, and with the help of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the GoK is working with 10,000 farmers and 1,000 agrovets in the 47 counties to support and accelerate crop production.

For more information on opportunities in supplying fertilizers and fertilizer inputs to Kenya or assistance, U.S. companies can contact CS Kenya Commercial Assistant Catherine Malinda at: Catherine.Malinda@trade.gov.