Kenya: Market for Printing and Writing Paper 2025

Market Size for Printing and Writing Paper in Kenya

In 2021, the Kenyan printing and writing paper 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, the total consumption indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Printing and Writing Paper

Exports from Kenya

After six years of growth, shipments abroad of printing and writing paper decreased by -0.8% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 85% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, printing and writing paper exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 67%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Rwanda (X tons), Uganda (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) were the main destinations of printing and writing paper exports from Kenya, together comprising 78% of total exports. South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Burundi (with a CAGR of +26.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for printing and writing paper exported from Kenya were Rwanda ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Uganda ($X), together comprising 73% of total exports. Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Burundi, with a CAGR of +33.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average printing and writing paper export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 11% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 55%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum 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 Tanzania ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to South Sudan ($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 (+9.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports of Printing and Writing Paper

Imports into Kenya

Printing and writing paper imports into Kenya fell markedly to X tons in 2022, with a decrease of -15.1% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, total imports indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% 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 +28.0% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 51%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

In value terms, printing and writing paper imports declined remarkably to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 48%. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

India (X tons), Indonesia (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main suppliers of printing and writing paper imports to Kenya, with a combined 42% share of total imports. South Korea, Brazil, Singapore, Egypt, Portugal, Sweden, Uganda, Slovenia, Germany and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Uganda (with a CAGR of +38.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest printing and writing paper suppliers to Kenya were India ($X), Indonesia ($X) and China ($X), with a combined 38% share of total imports. Egypt, South Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Uganda, Germany and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 16%.

Among the main suppliers, Uganda, with a CAGR of +36.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 printing and writing paper import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a slight descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average import price increased by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while the price for Brazil ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+3.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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