<p>A process for the production of aliphatic .beta.-keto esters by reacting a dialkyl ketone with a dialkylcarbonate in the presence of an at least equivalent quantity of a basic condensation agent based on the dialkyl ketone at a reaction temperature of 20 to 80.degree.C and the reaction product is subsequently converted by acidification into the .beta.-keto ester. By carrying out the condensation reaction in the presence of hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide as solvent advantageously higher yields of 20 to 50 % can be obtained by the inventive process if compared to convential processes.</p>
