October 9, 2025
Kenya’s fertilizer imports for the first half of 2025 stood at 443,701 metric tonnes, valued at nearly Sh25.83 billion, marking a slight decline compared to 445,857 tonnes imported during the same period in 2024. This marginal drop reflects a complex trend in fertilizer supply over recent years, influenced by both market dynamics and government interventions aimed at supporting the crucial agricultural sector.
The overall fertilizer import volumes from 2022 to 2025 have exhibited considerable fluctuations. Notably, 2023 saw the highest volume of imports within this four-year window, reaching a peak of 629,566 tonnes. This was a significant surge compared to the relatively low 188,357 tonnes imported in the first half of 2022. However, following this peak, 2024 and 2025 have experienced a downward trend in both volume and value of fertilizer imports.
These fluctuations come amid government initiatives that have focused on stabilizing fertilizer availability and prices. The government has implemented an e-voucher system to distribute subsidized fertilizer, which has helped register over 6.5 million farmers nationwide and facilitated the distribution of over 14.7 million bags of subsidized fertilizer since 2022. This intervention has notably reduced the price of a 50-kilogram bag from Sh7,500 to Sh2,500, making fertilizer more affordable to farmers and contributing to increased food security efforts.
Moreover, the government has committed to distributing 12.5 million bags of fertilizer during the 2025 financial year to enhance crop yields and ensure food availability. These efforts correlate with broader agricultural productivity goals, including a notable reduction in maize import dependence and increases in crop outputs.
While the fertilizer import volume decreased slightly in 2025 compared to 2024, the overall trend illustrates both the challenges and strategic efforts in maintaining fertilizer supply chains and supporting Kenyan farmers. This dynamic is vital since fertilizer use directly impacts crop yields, farmer incomes, and national food security.
The data, sourced from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and corroborated by recent government announcements, highlight the critical interplay between import volumes, market pricing, and government subsidy programs that collectively shape Kenya’s agricultural landscape today and in the near future.
Kenya’s experience underscores the ongoing balancing act of sourcing adequate fertilizer amidst fluctuating global supply conditions and ensuring that smallholder farmers have sufficient access to this essential input for boosting productivity and livelihoods.