South Sudan-Kenya Bilateral Trade Analysis 2023

Complete trade statistics: $226.82M total volume •South Sudan deficit: $226.57M

South SudanKenya

$123,371

Exports (2023)

KenyaSouth Sudan

$226.69M

Imports (2023)

Trade Balance

$226.57M

Deficit for South Sudan

Total Trade

$226.82M

Combined Volume

Trade Flow Visualization

Direct trade relationship between South Sudan and Kenya. Green line shows exports from South Sudan, red line shows imports.

Detailed Product Trade Analysis

Comprehensive breakdown of trade flows by product category, revealing the specialized nature of the South Sudan-Kenya commercial relationship and competitive positioning in global markets.

South SudanKenya Exports

$123,371
2023 Total

Export Market Intelligence

Product Diversity:
Specialized Focus
Market Share:
31.0% top product
1Wood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated
$38,241
31.0% of exports
2Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018
$26,168
21.2% of exports
3Electrical static converters
$15,946
12.9% of exports
4Wood, tropical, n.e.c. in item no. 4407.2, sawn or chipped lengthwise, sliced or peeled, whether or not planed, sanded or end-jointed, of a thickness exceeding 6mm
$15,919
12.9% of exports
5Tents: of textile materials other than synthetic fibres
$6,007
4.9% of exports

🎯 Strategic Export Focus

South Sudan's export portfolio to Kenya demonstrates strategic specialization, with wood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated representing a key competitive advantage in this bilateral market.

KenyaSouth Sudan Imports

$226.69M
2023 Total

Import Dependency Profile

Supply Diversity:
Concentrated
Critical Imports:
14.5% concentration
1Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10
$32.93M
14.5% of imports
2Beer: made from malt
$23.46M
10.3% of imports
3Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially coloured
$18.34M
8.1% of imports
4Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not crude: preparations n.e.c. containing by weight 70% or more of petroleum oils or oils from bituminous minerals: these being the basic constituents of the preparations: waste oils
$9.69M
4.3% of imports
5Vegetable fats and oils and their fractions: partly or wholly hydrogenated, inter-esterified, re-esterified or elaidinised, whether or not refined, but not further prepared
$7.85M
3.5% of imports

📦 Import Strategy Analysis

South Sudan's import pattern from Kenya reveals significant dependencyin food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10, highlighting complementary economic structures and potential supply chain optimization opportunities.

Competitive Trade Position Analysis

🏆

Market Leadership

South Sudan demonstrates competitive strength in exportingwood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated to Kenya, leveraging comparative advantages.

Export Leader in 5+ Categories
🔄

Trade Complementarity

The bilateral relationship showsmoderatecomplementarity, with each country specializing in different sectors.

Specialized Exchange
📈

Growth Potential

The $226.82M trade volume indicates substantial economic integration with room for expansion in emerging sectors.

Significant Partnership

Executive Summary: South Sudan-Kenya Trade Relationship

Key Trade Highlights 2023

  • Total Trade Volume: $226.82 millionrepresenting a significant bilateral economic relationship
  • Trade Balance: South Sudan maintains a deficit of $226.57 million
  • Export Focus: South Sudan's primary exports include wood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated, medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018, electrical static converters
  • Import Dependencies: Key imports from Kenya include food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10, beer: made from malt, cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially coloured

Strategic Trade Indicators

Trade IntensityHigh
Export DiversificationConcentrated
Trade Balance HealthImbalanced

📈 Market Position: This bilateral trade relationship represents an important regional trade partnerships, with complementary economic strengths driving sustained commercial exchange.

Historical Trade Analysis & Economic Context

Trade Evolution Timeline

2019-2023: Recent Trends

Current trade volume of $226.82M represents the culmination of evolving bilateral commercial relationships, influenced by global supply chain shifts and changing economic priorities.

2015-2019: Growth Period

Sustained expansion in bilateral trade driven by complementary economic structures, with South Sudan leveraging its comparative advantages in wood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated.

2010-2015: Foundation Building

Establishment of modern trade frameworks and reduction of barriers, facilitating increased commercial exchange and investment flows between the two economies.

Pre-2010: Early Development

Initial stages of bilateral trade relationship development, with focus on traditional export-import patterns and gradual market integration.

Key Economic Drivers

1

Comparative Advantage

South Sudan's specialization in wood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreatedcomplements Kenya's demand patterns, creating natural trade synergies.

2

Supply Chain Integration

Deep integration in global value chains has strengthened bilateral linkages, particularly in food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10.

3

Market Access & Trade Policy

Favorable trade agreements and market access conditions have facilitated the growth of this $226.82M bilateral relationship.

Trade Pattern Insights

Trade ComplementarityAsymmetric
Seasonal VariationsModerate
Product ConcentrationMedium
Market DependencyHigh
🔮

Trade Relationship Outlook

The $226.82M bilateral trade volume positions this relationship for continued growth, supported by technological advancement, evolving consumer preferences, and strengthening economic ties. Key opportunities lie in expanding cooperation in emerging sectors while managing potential supply chain vulnerabilities.

Economic Impact & Strategic Outlook

Economic Impact Assessment

💰

Trade Volume Impact

The $226.82 million bilateral trade volume represents a important trade relationshipfor both economies.

Economic Significance: Moderate
🏭

Industrial Integration

Trade flows in wood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated and food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 demonstrate deep industrial linkages and supply chain integration.

Supply Chain Integration: Specialized
⚖️

Trade Balance Effects

South Sudan's trade deficit of $226.57 million impacts its overall economic position in this bilateral relationship.

Balance Impact: Import Dependency

Strategic Future Outlook

🚀Growth Opportunities

Emerging Sectors
Technology transfer and innovation cooperation in medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances: n.e.c. in heading no. 9018 present expansion opportunities.
Market Diversification
Beyond current focus on food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10, new product categories offer potential for trade expansion.

⚠️Risk Factors

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities
High trade imbalance may create supply chain risks
Market Competition
Global competition in wood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated may affect future market positioning.

🎯Strategic Recommendations

  • Strengthen cooperation in high-value sectors beyond current trade patterns
  • Develop alternative supply chains to reduce dependency risks
  • Explore joint ventures in emerging technology sectors
  • Enhance trade facilitation and reduce transaction costs

Market Position & Competitive Summary

The bilateral trade relationship between South Sudan and Kenya represents a total trade volume of $226.82 million in 2023. This partnership demonstrates an unfavorable trade balance for South Sudan, with imports exceeding exportsby $226.57 million.

Export Strengths

South Sudan's exports to Kenya total $123.37 thousand, with competitive advantages in wood, tropical: other than dark red meranti, light red meranti and meranti bakau, in the rough, whether or not stripped of bark or sapwood, or roughly squared, untreated, representing $38,241 or31.0% of bilateral exports.

Import Dependencies

Imports from Kenya amount to $226.69 million, highlighting economic interdependence in food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10, with Food preparations: n.e.c. in item no. 2106.10 comprising14.5% of total imports.

The trade relationship reflects broader economic patterns and comparative advantages. The trade deficit indicates South Sudan's strategic sourcing from Kenya. This partnership is characterized by complementary trade flows, with each country specializing in different product categories based on their respective economic strengths, industrial capabilities, and position in global value chains.

Download Bilateral Trade Data

Access detailed trade data between South Sudan and Kenya in multiple formats.

Data Source: CEPII BACI (Base pour l'Analyse du Commerce International) • Last Updated: January 2025 • Coverage: 1995-2023