Black printing ink imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of black printing ink by Kenya reached $2.2 million in 2024 (259 tonnes). That is 7% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $3.0 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 | 259 t |
| 2023 | $2.3M | 220 t |
| 2022 | $3.0M | 318 t |
| 2021 | $2.2M | 242 t |
| 2020 | $2.9M | 245 t |
| 2019 | $2.0M | 308 t |
| 2018 | $1.8M | 332 t |
| 2017 | $1.5M | 225 t |
Where Kenya imports black printing ink from
The largest suppliers were Switzerland (21%), India (11%), France (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 43%. Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest (+93% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | $460K | 21% |
| India | $249K | 12% |
| France | $219K | 10% |
| South Korea | $197K | 9.1% |
| South Africa | $168K | 7.8% |
| Netherlands | $166K | 7.6% |
| Sweden | $115K | 5.3% |
| China | $98K | 4.5% |
| Italy | $90K | 4.2% |
| United Kingdom | $75K | 3.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.39 per kg, close to the world average of $8.74.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Black printing ink exports from Kenya
Exports of black printing ink by Kenya reached $236 thousand in 2024 (29 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Tanzania accounted for 50% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $119K | 50% |
| Nigeria | $42K | 18% |
| Uganda | $26K | 11% |
| Rwanda | $15K | 6.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $8K | 3.3% |
| Malawi | $7K | 2.8% |
| Zambia | $6K | 2.3% |
| Ghana | $3K | 1.4% |
| India | $3K | 1.4% |
| Mozambique | $3K | 1.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya black printing ink imports (HS 3215.11): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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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 3215.11: Ink: for printing, black, whether or not concentrated or solid.
Common questions
What is the value of black printing ink imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported black printing ink worth $2.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 259 tonnes. That ranks it 74th of 215 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 7% on 2023.
Which countries supply black printing ink to Kenya?
Switzerland was the largest supplier with 21% of the value ($460 thousand), followed by India (11%) and France (10%). The top three together account for 43%, out of 32 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 93% on the year.
What is the average import price of black printing ink per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.39 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $8.74 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of black printing ink to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.5 million in 2017 to $2.2 million in 2024, an increase of 49%. The peak was 2022 at $3.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.2 million a year.
Does Kenya also export black printing ink?
Yes. Kenya exported $236 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Tanzania, Nigeria and Uganda. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $1.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for black printing ink?
The HS code for black printing ink is subheading 3215.11. It sits in HS chapter 32 (tanning or dyeing extracts; tannins and their derivatives; dyes, pigments and other colouring matter; paints, varnishes; putty, other mastics; inks). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3215 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for Kenya, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
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