Kenya: Market for Coated Printing and Writing Papers 2025

Market Size for Coated Printing and Writing Papers in Kenya

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in the Kenyan market for coated printing and writing papers, when its value increased by 61% to $X. Overall, the total consumption indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports of Coated Printing and Writing Papers

Exports from Kenya

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of coated printing and writing papers decreased by -50.8% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded strong growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 277%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, coated printing and writing paper exports shrank significantly to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 122%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2020, and then dropped notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Uganda (X tons) and Burundi (X tons) were the main destinations of coated printing and writing paper exports from Kenya, together accounting for 62% of total exports. These countries were followed by Rwanda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Somalia, which together accounted for a further 38%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Somalia (with a CAGR of +44.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for coated printing and writing paper exported from Kenya were Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Uganda ($X), with a combined 64% share of total exports.

Tanzania, with a CAGR of +41.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average export price for coated printing and writing papers stood at $X per ton in 2021, declining by -24.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a mild expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 64%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell notably in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, 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 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Democratic Republic of the Congo (+5.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Coated Printing and Writing Papers

Imports into Kenya

After two years of decline, overseas purchases of coated printing and writing papers increased by 39% to X tons in 2021. Overall, total imports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% 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 2018 when imports increased by 64%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, coated printing and writing paper imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 63% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

India (X tons), China (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) were the main suppliers of coated printing and writing paper imports to Kenya, with a combined 39% share of total imports. Egypt, Indonesia, Thailand, Slovenia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovenia (with a CAGR of +35.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest coated printing and writing paper suppliers to Kenya were India ($X), China ($X) and Egypt ($X), together comprising 41% of total imports. These countries were followed by Indonesia, South Korea, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Thailand, Spain, Germany, Finland and Belgium, which together accounted for a further 29%.

Slovenia, with a CAGR of +36.2%, 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 import price for coated printing and writing papers stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while the price for Belgium ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+3.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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