Kenya: Packaging Materials Market 2025

Packaging Materials Market Size in Kenya

The Kenyan packaging materials market shrank to $X in 2022, declining by -8.1% 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 prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +9.9% against 2020 indices. Packaging materials consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Packaging Materials Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2022, approx. X tons of packaging materials were exported from Kenya; with a decrease of -30.9% compared with the year before. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 159%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then dropped markedly in the following year.

In value terms, packaging materials exports contracted remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 161%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then declined notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Tanzania (X tons) was the main destination for packaging materials exports from Kenya, with a 69% share of total exports. Moreover, packaging materials exports to Tanzania exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Uganda (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Tanzania amounted to +41.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Uganda (+3.9% per year) and Rwanda (+14.4% per year).

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) remains the key foreign market for packaging materials exports from Kenya, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Uganda ($X), with a 20% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Tanzania amounted to +33.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Uganda (+4.1% per year) and Rwanda (+18.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average packaging materials export price amounted to $X per ton, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when the average export price increased by 36%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Rwanda ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Tanzania ($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 Rwanda (+3.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Packaging Materials Imports

Imports into Kenya

In 2022, packaging materials imports into Kenya shrank to X tons, with a decrease of -5.3% compared with the previous year. In general, total imports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +4.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 41%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, packaging materials imports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +13.8% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

Tanzania (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) were the main suppliers of packaging materials imports to Kenya, with a combined 27% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +28.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X), Russia ($X) and Finland ($X) were the largest packaging materials suppliers to Kenya, with a combined 29% share of total imports.

Russia, with a CAGR of +31.1%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 packaging materials import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -5.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 20% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then declined 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 Tanzania ($X per ton), while the price for Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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