Kenya: Photographic Film Market 2025

Photographic Film Market Size in Kenya

In 2021, the Kenyan photographic film market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a abrupt decrease. Photographic film consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Photographic Film Exports

Exports from Kenya

For the third consecutive year, Kenya recorded growth in shipments abroad of photographic plates and film, photographic paper, paperboard and textiles and instant print film, sensitized, unexposed, which increased by 36% to X square meters in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a measured increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 94% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, photographic film exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a buoyant increase. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Ethiopia (X square meters), Rwanda (X square meters) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X square meters) were the main destinations of photographic film exports from Kenya, with a combined 73% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +25.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for photographic film exported from Kenya were Somalia ($X), Ethiopia ($X) and Uganda ($X), with a combined 70% share of total exports. Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia and Democratic Republic of the Congo lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

Rwanda, with a CAGR of +31.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among 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

The average photographic film export price stood at $X per square meter in 2021, with an increase of 62% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, photographic film export price increased by +78.3% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 70% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per square meter in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the 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 Somalia ($X per square meter), while the average price for exports to Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Somalia (+22.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Photographic Film Imports

Imports into Kenya

Photographic film imports into Kenya contracted to X square meters in 2021, which is down by -2.4% compared with 2020. Over the period under review, imports faced a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 96%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X square meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, photographic film imports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 46% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X square meters) constituted the largest supplier of photographic film to Kenya, with a 21% share of total imports. Moreover, photographic film imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X square meters), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Brazil (X square meters), with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled -6.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-15.3% per year) and Brazil (-4.6% per year).

In value terms, China ($X), Belgium ($X) and Germany ($X) appeared to be the largest photographic film suppliers to Kenya, with a combined 39% share of total imports. The United States, Japan, France, India, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, the Netherlands, Thailand and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

In terms of the main suppliers, the United States, with a CAGR of +7.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average photographic film import price amounted to $X per square meter, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the average import price increased by 44%. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per square meter), while the price for Thailand ($X per square meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+16.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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