Cellulose imports in Ethiopia: data, top suppliers and prices
Ethiopia imported $2.2 million of cellulose in 2024 (762 tonnes). That is 72% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2023, at $8.0 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.2M | 762 t |
| 2023 | $8.0M | 1.7K t |
| 2022 | $4.0M | 898 t |
| 2021 | $3.4M | 806 t |
| 2020 | $2.8M | 743 t |
| 2019 | $5.4M | 1.7K t |
| 2018 | $2.2M | 647 t |
| 2017 | $1.3M | 431 t |
Where Ethiopia imports cellulose from
China alone supplied 64% of it. Among the main suppliers, Kenya grew fastest (+992% on the year before).
Product types under HS 3912
| 3912.39 | Cellulose ethers (other) | 63% |
| 3912.90 | Cellulose derivatives (other) | 24% |
| 3912.20 | Cellulose nitrate | 8.8% |
| 3912.31 | Carboxymethyl cellulose | 4% |
| 3912.11 | Cellulose acetate (unplasticized) | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3912.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.94 per kg, 40% below the world average of $4.87, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in Ethiopia?
The shipment records behind Ethiopia cellulose imports (HS 3912): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 3912: Cellulose and its chemical derivatives, n.e.c. or included, in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of cellulose imported by Ethiopia?
Ethiopia imported cellulose worth $2.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 762 tonnes. That ranks it 113th of 196 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 72% on 2023.
Which countries supply cellulose to Ethiopia?
China was the largest supplier with 64% of the value ($1.4 million), followed by India (11%) and Turkey (7%). The top three together account for 82%, out of 11 supplier countries in total. Kenya grew fastest among the top ten, up 992% on the year.
What is the average import price of cellulose per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.94 per kg in 2024, 40% below the world average of $4.87 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of cellulose to Ethiopia changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.3 million in 2017 to $2.2 million in 2024, an increase of 79%. The peak was 2023 at $8.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $3.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for cellulose?
The HS code for cellulose is heading 3912. In Ethiopia the largest six-digit codes were 3912.39 (63% of the value) and 3912.90 (24%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for Ethiopia. Tell us your product to see it live.
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