Kenya: Cotton Fabric Market 2025

Cotton Fabric Market Size in Kenya

The Kenyan cotton fabric market soared to $X in 2021, increasing by 24% against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a strong increase. Cotton fabric consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Cotton Fabric Production in Kenya

In value terms, cotton fabric production reduced modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 18%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Fabric Exports

Exports from Kenya

In 2021, the amount of woven fabrics of cotton exported from Kenya contracted sharply to X tons, reducing by -25.3% on the previous year. Overall, exports, however, saw a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 186%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton fabric exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, saw a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 188%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Uganda (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) were the main destinations of cotton fabric exports from Kenya, with a combined 71% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Cameroon, Rwanda, Mozambique, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates, which together accounted for a further 20%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Cameroon (with a CAGR of +139.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Uganda ($X), Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) and Cameroon ($X) were the largest markets for cotton fabric exported from Kenya worldwide, with a combined 74% share of total exports.

Cameroon, with a CAGR of +277.8%, saw 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

In 2021, the average cotton fabric export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 98% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, cotton fabric export price increased by +137.1% against 2019 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the United Arab Emirates ($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 Cameroon (+57.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Fabric Imports

Imports into Kenya

For the fourth year in a row, Kenya recorded growth in overseas purchases of woven fabrics of cotton, which increased by 24% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 106%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton fabric imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 132%. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest cotton fabric supplier to Kenya, accounting for a 37% share of total imports. Moreover, cotton fabric imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X tons), fourfold. Pakistan (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China amounted to +1.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+0.5% per year) and Pakistan (+4.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of woven fabrics of cotton to Kenya, comprising 33% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by India ($X), with a 6.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Pakistan, with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from China was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (-1.0% per year) and Pakistan (-1.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cotton fabric import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 3.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a mild curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 72%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per ton), while the price for the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) 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 (+7.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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