Kenya: Color Printing Ink Market 2025

Color Printing Ink Market Size in Kenya

The Kenyan color printing ink market reached $X in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. In general, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Color Printing Ink Production in Kenya

In value terms, color printing ink production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 27% against the previous year. Color printing ink production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Color Printing Ink Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2022, approx. X tons of color printing ink were exported from Kenya; waning by -6.5% on the previous year. Overall, exports, however, posted strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 41%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, color printing ink exports declined to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 41%. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Uganda (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Ethiopia (X tons) were the main destinations of color printing ink exports from Kenya, together accounting for 89% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +33.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Uganda ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Ethiopia ($X) were the largest markets for color printing ink exported from Kenya worldwide, with a combined 83% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Ethiopia, with a CAGR of +31.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average color printing ink export price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -1.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 5.3% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then declined modestly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Rwanda ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Uganda (+1.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Color Printing Ink Imports

Imports into Kenya

In 2022, supplies from abroad of color printing ink increased by 3.8% to X tons, rising for the sixth year in a row after three years of decline. Overall, imports continue to indicate a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, color printing ink imports rose to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 50% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Switzerland (X tons), South Korea (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) were the main suppliers of color printing ink imports to Kenya, together comprising 39% of total imports. India, the UK, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, Poland, France, China, Turkey and Jordan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 52%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +84.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Switzerland ($X) constituted the largest supplier of color printing ink to Kenya, comprising 36% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Sweden ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Switzerland amounted to +21.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Sweden (+16.3% per year) and India (+4.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average color printing ink import price amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 20% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the price for Jordan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+8.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform