Kenya: Paper Label Market 2025

Paper Label Market Size in Kenya

In 2021, the Kenyan paper label market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, consumption posted a remarkable increase. Paper label consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Paper Label Production in Kenya

In value terms, paper label production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a resilient increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 77% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Paper Label Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of labels of paper or paperboard, when their volume decreased by -23.9% to X tons. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 32%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then contracted rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, paper label exports declined to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +145.7% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 65%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2020, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

Uganda (X tons), Rwanda (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) were the main destinations of paper label exports from Kenya, together comprising 64% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Rwanda (with a CAGR of +65.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for paper label exported from Kenya were Rwanda ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Uganda ($X), with a combined 67% share of total exports.

Rwanda, with a CAGR of +76.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average paper label export price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 15% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.0%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the average export price increased by 35%. The export price peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Malawi ($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 Tanzania (+17.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper Label Imports

Imports into Kenya

In 2021, the amount of labels of paper or paperboard imported into Kenya surged to X tons, growing by 61% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports posted a measured increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 69% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, paper label imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 60%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Sri Lanka (X tons), China (X tons) and Uganda (X tons) were the main suppliers of paper label imports to Kenya, with a combined 62% share of total imports. India, Slovenia, Hong Kong SAR, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan (Chinese), Turkey and Tanzania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovenia (with a CAGR of +71.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), Sri Lanka ($X) and Hong Kong SAR ($X) appeared to be the largest paper label suppliers to Kenya, with a combined 55% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Uganda, India, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan (Chinese), Turkey, Slovenia and Tanzania, which together accounted for a further 33%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Slovenia, with a CAGR of +55.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average paper label import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -12.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs 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, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton), while the price for Slovenia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+7.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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