Vegetables are among Kenya’s key imports from Tanzania. [Photo: NMG]Tanzania sold more goods to Kenya in the 10 months to October despite cutting back on consumption of locally made products.Data by Central Bank of Kenya shows that imports from Tanzania increased by 25.44 per cent to Sh13.264 billion in the January-October 2017 period compared to a year earlier.This came as Kenya’s exports to Tanzania in the period plunged to a 10-year low amid unresolved trade spats between Nairobi and Dar es Salam hurting local manufacturers and traders.Exports to Tanzania in the period to October dropped by 18.9 percent to Sh23.38 billion with trade between the two countries remaining in favour of Kenya despite the gap narrowing.In Africa, Tanzania is the fourth largest seller of goods to Kenya behind South Africa (Sh53.094 billion), Egypt (Sh28.868 billion) and Uganda (Sh27.490 billion).Kenya imported goods valued at Sh159.660 billion from Africa in the 10-month period, 43.02 per cent or Sh48.022 billion more than the same period in 2016.Kenya and Tanzania have had on-and-off trade disputes despite the two belonging to a common market which allows for free movement of goods, people, labour, services and capital within six-member East Africa Community countries.Kenya largely imports wheat, textiles and clothing, hides and skin, oil seeds, vegetables, rice, paper and paperboard, footwear, wood, plastic and rubber, among other products from Tanzania

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