Sudan is one of the leading export destinations for Kenyan products in the COMESA region. Trade is expected to improve much more after Sudan accedes to COMESA's Free Trade Area arrangement. Kenya's trade with Sudan has been steady for the last 10 years. Exports from Kenya rose from Kshs.1.50 billion in 1994 to its highest level of Kshs.4.52 billion in 2003, while imports from Sudan to Kenya rose from Kshs.1.4 million in the same year to peak at Kshs.1.3 billion in the 2001 before declining to Kshs.199 million in 2002 to rise again to Kshs.562 million in 2003.

The balance of trade is greatly in favour of Kenya with tea leading the pack fetching Kshs.1.5 billion in foreign exchange in 2003. This was over 35% of total exports from Kenya to Sudan. Other products exported to Sudan include tobacco, insecticides, edible products, medicaments, coffee, textiles, household items, cereals and cooking fats.

Imports from Sudan comprise mainly spices, polymers of ethylene, clothing, sugar, paper and paper board, light trucks. These imports will increase substantially if the anticipated purchase of oil by Kenya from Sudan becomes a reality.

For further information on actual figures and Balance of Trade (BoT) between the two countries please consult website: www.ministryoftradeandindustry.go.ke

Potential Trade between Kenya and Sudan

Research conducted by the Export Promotion Council and the Ministry of Trade and Industry indicate that Kenya has huge export potential to Sudan. The Sudan import market size is worth over US$1.4 billion annually. For example, Sudan imported goods worth US$1.4 BILLION IN 2002 out of which Kenya exported goods worth only US$31,060,613.

Considering the imports into Sudan and the countries of origin (mainly Middle East and Asia), Kenya has the ability to competitively supply most of the products if not all.

Furthermore, Kenya's potential competitiveness is because of its close proximity to the Sudanese market. Kenya also enjoys goodwill from all sectors of Sudanese society because of the role it (Kenya) played in the peace mediation. Also Kenya's sweet and high quality tea is popular with consumers in Sudan.

Though there are many constraints to realising this export trade potential, the signing of a bilateral trade agreement between Kenya and Sudan will help in removing the barriers against Kenya's exports to Sudan.