Kenya: Kaolin Market 2024

Kaolin Market Size in Kenya

The Kenyan kaolin market expanded remarkably to $X in 2021, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed a significant increase. Kaolin consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Kaolin Production in Kenya

In value terms, kaolin production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 241%. Kaolin production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Kaolin Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2021, overseas shipments of kaolin and kaolinic clays were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, exports, however, faced a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 146%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, kaolin exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 52% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Rwanda (X tons) was the main destination for kaolin exports from Kenya, accounting for a 51% share of total exports. Moreover, kaolin exports to Rwanda exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Burundi (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by South Africa (X tons), with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Rwanda amounted to -3.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Burundi (+9.5% per year) and South Africa (-8.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for kaolin exported from Kenya were Rwanda ($X), Burundi ($X) and Uganda ($X), with a combined 74% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Burundi, with a CAGR of +5.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

The average kaolin export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a strong expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 157% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Rwanda ($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 Uganda (+39.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Kaolin Imports

Imports into Kenya

For the fourth consecutive year, Kenya recorded growth in supplies from abroad of kaolin and kaolinic clays, which increased by 9.9% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 270%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, kaolin imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 167% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

India (X tons), the United States (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main suppliers of kaolin imports to Kenya, with a combined 88% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Portugal and Bulgaria, which together accounted for a further 6.2%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Portugal (with a CAGR of +496.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($X), the United States ($X) and China ($X) appeared to be the largest kaolin suppliers to Kenya, together accounting for 94% of total imports. These countries were followed by Portugal and Bulgaria, which together accounted for a further 2%.

Portugal, with a CAGR of +559.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average kaolin import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 7.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average import price increased by 38%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Portugal (+11.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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