Kenya: O-Xylene Market 2025

O-Xylene Market Size in Kenya

The Kenyan o-xylene market dropped dramatically to $X in 2022, waning by -38.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption faced a sharp decrease. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

O-Xylene Production in Kenya

In value terms, o-xylene production totaled $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 4.6% against the previous year. O-xylene production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

O-Xylene Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2022, o-xylene exports from Kenya expanded rapidly to X tons, picking up by 7.2% compared with 2021 figures. In general, exports saw resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 136%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, o-xylene exports totaled $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a perceptible expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 116% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Uganda (X tons) was the main destination for o-xylene exports from Kenya, with a 98% share of total exports. It was followed by Tanzania (X kg), with a 1.2% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Uganda totaled +12.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (-24.1% per year) and Rwanda (-7.1% per year).

In value terms, Uganda ($X) remains the key foreign market for o-xylene exports from Kenya, comprising 94% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tanzania ($X), with a 5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Uganda amounted to +9.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (-17.7% per year) and Rwanda (-9.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average o-xylene export price amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -4.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a perceptible curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the average export price increased by 18%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Uganda ($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 Tanzania (+8.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

O-Xylene Imports

Imports into Kenya

After seven years of decline, overseas purchases of o-xylene increased by 5.7% to X kg in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a precipitous contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 248%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, o-xylene imports fell to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a dramatic descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 187% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X kg) was the main o-xylene supplier to Kenya, with a 93% share of total imports. Moreover, o-xylene imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Singapore (X kg), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from the Netherlands totaled -32.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Singapore (-51.7% per year) and South Korea (-57.2% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of o-xylene to Kenya, comprising 69% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Singapore ($X), with a 24% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the Netherlands totaled -15.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Singapore (-32.5% per year) and South Korea (-37.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average o-xylene import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, dropping by -8.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, posted significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 170%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

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 South Korea ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+45.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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