Cellulose imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Kenya imported cellulose worth $13.0 million (4.6 thousand tonnes). That is 22% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 13% a year on average.
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 | $13.0M | 4.6K t |
| 2023 | $10.7M | 3.2K t |
| 2022 | $12.9M | 3.5K t |
| 2021 | $9.8M | 2.9K t |
| 2020 | $8.8M | 2.7K t |
| 2019 | $7.8M | 2.6K t |
| 2018 | $7.5M | 2.5K t |
| 2017 | $5.5M | 2.1K t |
Where Kenya imports cellulose from
Most of the value came from China (47%), India (24%), Thailand (8%). Among the main suppliers, Sweden grew fastest (+72% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $6.1M | 47% |
| India | $3.1M | 24% |
| Thailand | $1.1M | 8.2% |
| Netherlands | $526K | 4% |
| Sweden | $434K | 3.3% |
| Germany | $324K | 2.5% |
| United States | $296K | 2.3% |
| Belgium | $260K | 2% |
| Poland | $193K | 1.5% |
| Turkey | $120K | 0.9% |
Product types under HS 3912
| 3912.39 | Cellulose ethers (other) | 40% |
| 3912.20 | Cellulose nitrate | 31% |
| 3912.90 | Cellulose derivatives (other) | 14% |
| 3912.31 | Carboxymethyl cellulose | 14% |
| 3912.11 | Cellulose acetate (unplasticized) | 1.3% |
| 3912.12 | Cellulose acetates: plasticised, in primary forms | 0.3% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3912.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.84 per kg, 42% 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.
Cellulose exports from Kenya
In 2024, Kenya exported cellulose worth $1.5 million (387 tonnes). Tanzania alone took 53% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Ethiopia grew fastest (+992% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $778K | 53% |
| Uganda | $229K | 16% |
| Rwanda | $139K | 9.5% |
| Ethiopia | $112K | 7.6% |
| Turkey | $105K | 7.1% |
| Burundi | $69K | 4.7% |
| South Sudan | $33K | 2.2% |
| Republic of the Congo | $8K | 0.6% |
| Hungary | $2K | 0.2% |
| Malawi | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya 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 Kenya?
Kenya imported cellulose worth $13.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 69th of 196 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 22% on 2023.
Which countries supply cellulose to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 47% of the value ($6.1 million), followed by India (24%) and Thailand (8%). The top three together account for 79%, out of 32 supplier countries in total. Sweden grew fastest among the top ten, up 72% on the year.
What is the average import price of cellulose per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.84 per kg in 2024, 42% below the world average of $4.87 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of cellulose to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.5 million in 2017 to $13.0 million in 2024, an increase of 137%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $9.5 million a year.
Does Kenya also export cellulose?
Yes. Kenya exported $1.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $11.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for cellulose?
The HS code for cellulose is heading 3912. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 3912.39 (40% of the value) and 3912.20 (31%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Kenya reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
Cellulose product types in Kenya
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.