Used clothing is an important export from the United States to Kenya and other countries in Eastern Africa. According to a 2005 Economic Survey, Kenyan used-clothing imports from all sources totaled US $23,442,000 that year, of which imports from the U.S. were about $4,070,000, or some 20 percent of the total.
U.S. apparel is in high demand as Kenyans enjoy U.S. styles and complement American sizes. The Kenya Importers and Exporters Association estimates that about 80 percent of all Kenyans purchase used clothing – and that nearly one million Kenyans made their living directly from the second-hand apparel trade.
According to SMART (Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles - a major U.S. trade association), Kenya alone has some 2000 family-owned used clothing businesses, which collectively export 61% of their products to neighboring countries. U.S. exports to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda account for by far the single largest source of apparel and textiles to these three countries.
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The U.S Commercial Service
marketing@alchempro.com
