Kenya: Yams Market 2024

Yams Market Size in Kenya

The Kenyan yams market shrank to $X in 2022, declining by -10.3% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Yams Production in Kenya

In value terms, yams production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 42%. Yams production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2022, the average yield of yams in Kenya rose to X tons per ha, surging by 2.2% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, the yield, however, continues to indicate a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the average yams yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The yams harvested area in Kenya was estimated at X ha in 2022, approximately reflecting the year before. Over the period under review, the total harvested area indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, yams harvested area increased by +3.2% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the harvested area increased by 22%. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the yams harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Yams Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2022, the amount of yams exported from Kenya soared to X tons, jumping by 3,182% on the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, yams exports dropped dramatically to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, faced a sharp curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 981%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa (X tons) was the main destination for yams exports from Kenya, accounting for a 99% share of total exports. It was followed by Ireland (X kg), with a 0.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to South Africa stood at +4,812.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Ireland (-33.9% per year) and Somalia (-33.3% per year).

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the key foreign market for yams exports from Kenya, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Somalia ($X), with an 18% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to South Africa totaled +1.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Somalia (-33.9% per year) and Ireland (-35.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average yams export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -97.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a precipitous setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 29% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Somalia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Seychelles (+1.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Yams Imports

Imports into Kenya

In 2022, supplies from abroad of yams decreased by -11.1% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a significant expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 9,559% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, yams imports totaled $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a significant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 9,498%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) was the main supplier of yams to Kenya, accounting for a 100% share of total imports. It was followed by Ghana (X kg), with a 0.2% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled +101.2%.

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of yams to Kenya, comprising 100% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Ghana ($X), with a 0.2% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China amounted to +67.3%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average yams import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average import price increased by 152%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while the price for China totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+4.4%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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