Kenya’s export earnings dipped to a five-year low in 2025, analysis shows. It was hurt by a biting drought across main producing areas, the strengthening of the dollar in key export markets, and human-wildlife conflicts that led to the destruction of sizeable volumes of the crop.
Kenya is among the world’s biggest sisal producers and ranks third after Brazil and Tanzania. The sisal fibre produced in Kenya is mainly for export, with an estimated 96 percent of the produce shipped abroad.
Locally, sisal is used for making ropes, bags, carpets, baskets, and furniture. Internationally, it is used to produce paper, ceiling boards, car bodies, clothes, and even paper currency.
Fresh data by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) showed that Kenya earned Sh4.7 billion from sisal exports in 2025, down from Sh5.7 billion the previous year. The 2025 sisal export earnings are the lowest for Kenya since 2021 and mark a third successive year of drops.
The dip in export earnings coincided with a drop in both the output and the volume of crop shipped to markets abroad. Total production fell by 19.4 per cent to 24,899.46 tonnes in 2025 from 30,893.4 tonnes in 2024.
‘The reduction in output was attributed to lower productivity, likely driven by drought conditions that affected major sisal-producing estates and curtailed the harvesting of sisal leaves. In addition, outbreaks of diseases such as Korogwe leaf spot and early pole formation further diminished output,’ the regulator said.
‘Production was also negatively impacted by human-wildlife conflicts in some estates, which led to wildfires that destroyed sisal plantations and further suppressed overall yields’
Kenya suffered a severe drought in 2025, especially towards the end of the year where the country suffered the near-total failure of the October-December short rains,
In the 2025 crop season, Kenya exported its sisal fibre to 30 destinations overseas, shipping 23,323.1 tonnes to international markets and earning Sh4.7 billion compared to 26,168 tonnes exported in 2024, valued at Sh5.7 billion.
Nigeria remained the principal destination of Kenyan sisal fibre shipments in 2025, accounting for the largest share of both export volume and value, with 8,497.40 tonnes valued at Sh1.72 billion. The West African country has consistently been the top market for Kenyan sisal fibre, largely due to its extensive use in the construction industry. Saudi Arabia was the second-biggest buyer of Kenyan sisal in 2025, importing 2,717 tonnes worth Sh610 million.
‘Beyond its traditional markets, Kenya continued to diversify its export base across Africa, Asia and Europe. Shipments reached countries such as Morocco (2,098 tonnes), China (2,295tonnes), Spain (836 tonnes) and the Philippines (528 tonnes), reflecting sustained demand in industries that rely on natural fibres,’ AFA said.
Emerging markets, including Japan (25 tonnes), Sri Lanka (14 tonnes) and Slovenia (10.2tonnes), also imported smaller quantities, signalling growing global interest in sustainable and biodegradable raw materials.
‘Overall, this performance demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of Kenya’s export strategy and highlights the strategic role of sisal as a key cash crop, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where it is well suited,’ the regulator said.
‘With the global shift toward environmentally friendly alternatives, sisal presents Kenya with significant opportunities to enhance its green economy profile while generating rural employment and foreign exchange earnings’
Sisal farming is largely carried out on a large scale in counties such as Taita Taveta, which is the largest producer by county ranking. Others are Kilifi, Baringo, Makueni, Kwale, Nakuru, and Migori counties.
In 2025, Taita Taveta posted a slight decline in output, decreasing to 8,226.57 tonnes, from 9,462.90 tonnes in 2024. Makueni registered the steepest drop in fibre production, with output falling by 33.5 per cent to 4,979.9 tonnes in 2025, with the value significantly decreasing to Sh910.4 million.
‘Overall, all counties experienced reductions in fibre production and the value of sisal fibre exports, despite an expansion in the area under cultivation,’ AFA said.