Trade partner
U.S. Imports
$293.2M
August 2026
U.S. Exports
$88.3M
August 2026
Trade deficit
$204.9M
August 2026 · U.S. imports more than it exports
In August 2026 the United States imported $293.2M from Kenya and exported $88.3M to it, across 384 imported product categories.
Over the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $1.4B from Kenya and exported $919.9M to it. In August 2026, the U.S. ran a monthly goods trade deficit of $204.9M with Kenya, importing 3.3× as much as it exported. Compared with August 2025, U.S. goods imports from Kenya in August 2026 (preliminary) were 277% higher, and exports to Kenya were 12% higher. U.S. goods imports from Kenya of $293.2M in August 2026 ran 106% above the year-to-date monthly average of $142.2M.
Kenya is East Africa's most commercially diversified US trade partner, with exports spanning cut flowers, specialty coffee and tea, macadamia nuts, and apparel. The country's horticultural sector — particularly roses and other fresh-cut flowers — is highly time-sensitive, making air-freight logistics and cold-chain integrity central concerns for US importers. Fresh plant material entering the United States is subject to USDA APHIS phytosanitary inspection, and importers should confirm that Kenyan exporters hold the required phytosanitary certificates.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
USDA APHIS requires that fresh-cut flowers from Kenya be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by Kenya's plant health authority. Shipments are inspected at the US port of entry for regulated pests and diseases; non-compliant consignments may be refused entry or treated. Importers should work with a licensed customs broker familiar with APHIS requirements to avoid costly delays.
Because roses and other fresh-cut flowers have a shelf life measured in days, virtually all Kenyan floral exports to the United States move by air freight rather than ocean. This makes flight schedules, cold-room handling at Nairobi's airport, and US port-of-entry inspection speed critical variables in procurement planning — particularly around peak demand periods such as Valentine's Day.
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Annual data from BEA | 2025
Services Exports
$718.0M
Services Imports
$838.0M
The top U.S. imports from Kenya are Photovoltaic Cells Assembled in Modules or Panels, Photovoltaic Cells, Not Assembled into Modules or Panels and Green (Unroasted), Non-Decaffeinated Coffee, by value in the latest month.
| Rank | Product | Import value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $138.3M | |
| 2 | $45.6M | |
| 3 | $20.2M | |
| 4 | $9.2M | |
| 5 | $8.8M | |
| 6 | $8.6M | |
| 7 | $7.2M | |
| 8 | $5.8M | |
| 9 | $4.1M | |
| 10 | $2.8M |
| Rank | Product | Export value |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $18.6M | |
| 2 | $15.6M | |
| 3 |
| $7.1M |
| 4 | $6.5M |
| 5 | Civilian Aircraft, Engines, Equipment, and PartsChapter 88 · Aircraft, Spacecraft & Parts | $5.2M |
| 6 | $4.9M |
| 7 | $4.8M |
| 8 | $3.3M |
| 9 | $2.6M |
| 10 | Low-Value Export Shipments & Canadian Estimated Late ReceiptsChapter 98 · Special Classification Provisions | $1.8M |