Inside rising export trade for medical samples in Kenya

Kenya has quietly built a thriving export trade  in human and animal blood, microbial cultures, and toxins.

According to new report, aided by the World Bank, trade data for product code 300290, which covers blood products, microbial cultures, and related biological materials, Kenya’s exports in this specialised sector have grown significantly over the past five years, from a modest start in 2020 to a diversified trade worth billions of shillings annually.

The trade data shows that these shipments reached 37 different countries in 2024 alone.

The trade has expanded from a modest start in 2020 to a diversified sector now worth billions of shillings annually.

In 2020, Kenya exported $239,310 (Sh38 million) worth of these products, with a total quantity of 20,427 kilogrammes.

The main destinations were regional neighbours, — Somalia, Rwanda, and Tanzania.

Smaller shipments went to countries including Sierra Leone, Guinea, Ethiopia, Uganda, and South Sudan.

By 2021, exports jumped to $1 million(Sh130 million), with a total quantity of 22,734 kilogrammes. Nigeria emerged as the largest market, importing $566,860 (Sh73,124,940) worth, followed by Ethiopia at $214,820 (Sh27,711,780) and South Africa at $34,140 (Sh4,404,060).

Other notable destinations included Uganda, UK , Ghana, Zambia, the US , and Rwanda.

In 2022, Kenya recorded a massive spike in exports, shipping $16.9 million (Sh2.1 billion) worth of blood and microbial products abroad. The total quantity exported that year reached 457,980 kilogrammes. Nigeria was by far the largest customer, importing $12,026,600 (Sh1.5514314 billion), while Ghana took $1,795,050 (Sh231,561,450).

The US imported $1,351,830 (Sh174,386,070) and the United Kingdom $581,220 (Sh74,977,380). Other significant markets included South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Rwanda.

Exports normalised in 2023 to $653,980 (Sh84,363,420), with a total quantity of 52,525 kilogrammes.

Nigeria again led with $104,430 (Sh13,471,470), followed by Ethiopia at $89,840 (Sh11,589,360) and South Africa at $82,470 (Sh10,638,630). Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and the US each received shipments worth more than $46,000.

The UK imported $28,880 worth, while Ghana, South Sudan, and Niger also featured. Smaller shipments reached countries including Belgium, Ireland, the Republic of Congo, Poland, Somalia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, Namibia, and Germany.

In 2024, Kenya exported $552,010 (Sh71,209,290) worth of product code 300290 (human and animal blood, microbial cultures and toxins) to 37 countries, with a total quantity of 58,854 kilogrammes. Ethiopia emerged as the single largest market, importing $167,090 (Sh21,554,610) worth (1,956 kg).

Tanzania followed with $70,010 (Sh9,031,290), while Ghana took $58,540 (Sh7,551,660). The US imported $57,270 (Sh7,387,830) worth (8,785 kg), and the United Kingdom received $44,420 (Sh5,730,180) worth (3,002 kg).

Other African nations also featured prominently: Zimbabwe imported goods worth $22,340 (Sh2,881,860), Uganda $19,490 (Sh2,514,210), Malawi $19,120 (Sh2,466,480), Madagascar $17,110 (Sh2,207,190), Rwanda $16,230 (Sh2,093,670), South Sudan $11,910 (Sh1,536,390), and the Democratic Republic of Congo $7,980 (Sh1,029,420).

European markets remained active, with Belgium importing $5,750 (Sh741,750) worth (8,245 kg), France $5,650 (Sh728,850), Ireland $5,410 (Sh697,890), and Switzerland $4,580 (Sh590,820). Smaller shipments went to Germany ($1,250), Poland ($360), Italy ($140), the Netherlands ($110), and Denmark ($100). South Africa imported $2,790 (Sh359,910) worth (14,195 kg), while Canada, China, and Japan received minor quantities. [e-mail]