Kenya: Carboxylic Acid Market 2025

Carboxylic Acid Market Size in Kenya

The Kenyan carboxylic acid market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, surging by 22% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +132.5% against 2016 indices. Carboxylic acid consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Carboxylic Acid Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2021, overseas shipments of carboxylic acid with alcohol, phenol, aldehyde or ketone functions decreased by -53.4% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports saw a pronounced slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 194% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, carboxylic acid exports reduced rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, exports showed a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 220% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Tanzania (X tons) was the main destination for carboxylic acid exports from Kenya, accounting for a 64% share of total exports. Moreover, carboxylic acid exports to Tanzania exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Uganda (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Burundi (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Tanzania stood at +9.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Uganda (-5.8% per year) and Burundi (+43.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for carboxylic acid exported from Kenya were Tanzania ($X), Uganda ($X) and Rwanda ($X), together accounting for 86% of total exports. Burundi, South Sudan and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 5.9%.

Among the main countries of destination, Burundi, with a CAGR of +16.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average carboxylic acid export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 74% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a slight curtailment. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Burundi ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Africa (+92.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Carboxylic Acid Imports

Imports into Kenya

In 2021, approx. X tons of carboxylic acid with alcohol, phenol, aldehyde or ketone functions were imported into Kenya; standing approx. at 2020. Overall, imports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 99.9%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, carboxylic acid imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +106.5% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 51% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of carboxylic acid to Kenya, accounting for a 60% share of total imports. Moreover, carboxylic acid imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by South Africa (X tons), with a 5.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled +9.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+40.5% per year) and South Africa (+2.4% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of carboxylic acid with alcohol, phenol, aldehyde or ketone functions to Kenya, comprising 42% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by India ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Spain, with a 7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China amounted to +8.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+13.3% per year) and Spain (+23.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average carboxylic acid import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a noticeable slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 an increase of 40%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+4.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :