Lead image for Green gram extends lead as fastest-growing export pulse.
Green gram exports grew sharply in the quarter to March 2026, consolidating a run as Kenya’s fastest-rising pulse product sold abroad and pointing to an opportunity for local farmers.
Analysis of new data by the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) shows that green gram exports increased from 355.82 tonnes to 6,233.20 tonnes in the quarter to March 2026, fetching Sh835.52 million, mainly from markets in Africa and Asia.
Hong Kong and Thailand were the leading markets for Kenya’s green grams in the quarter to March, accounting for 22.33 per cent and 20.37 per cent of the total export volume, respectively.
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“Other significant destinations included South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Philippines, Pakistan, Singapore and Indonesia, representing 12.93 per cent, 10.66 per cent, 9.45 per cent, 7.70 per cent, 5.61 per cent and 4.01 per cent respectively,” the regulator said.
“Smaller consignments were directed to India, the Netherlands, South Africa, Qatar and the United Kingdom, each contributing less than three per cent of total exports”
According to the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation, green grams (locally known as ndengu) are primarily produced in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya, with about 90 per cent of the country's production concentrated in the Eastern region, led by Kitui, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, and Machakos counties.
The performance of green gram exports in the quarter to March 2026 extended a fairytale run from 2025.