• Kenya plans to import 1.05 million tonnes of palm oil in 2025/2026, near its highest ever level.

• Malaysia supplies 90% of Kenya’s palm oil, sharply overtaking Indonesia since 2019.

• Kenya acts as a regional hub, re-exporting 10% of refined palm oil to neighboring countries.

Kenya relies heavily on palm oil, which accounts for more than 90% of its total oil and fat consumption. Since local production is nearly nonexistent, the country depends on imports to satisfy demand.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) projects Kenya’s palm oil imports will reach 1.05 million tonnes during the 2025/2026 season. This volume comes close to the 1.1 million-tonne peak recorded in 2020 and would mark one of the highest import levels ever for East Africa’s largest economy.

Rising consumption among households and food service businesses, along with population growth, drives Kenya’s growing appetite for palm oil. The country ranks as the world’s eighth largest palm oil importer. About 90% of these imports consist of crude palm oil (CPO), which local industries require for refining and benefit from preferential tariffs.

The USDA credits Malaysia for capturing most of Kenya’s import market. Since 2021, Malaysia has supplied 90% of Kenya’s palm oil imports—a sharp increase from only 19% in 2019. Malaysia gained market share due to more competitive pricing and prioritizing exports, while Indonesia’s exports declined as its internal demand surged and export restrictions tightened in recent years.

Kenya remains Africa’s second-largest palm oil importer after Egypt. However, it also functions as a regional transport hub, re-exporting roughly 10% of its refined palm oil to neighboring markets. Key destinations include Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda.

This article was initially published in French by Espoir Olodo

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum