Colored printing ink imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Kenya imported colored printing ink worth $7.8 million (1.3 thousand tonnes). Value rose 9% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $12.6 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 | $7.8M | 1.3K t |
| 2023 | $7.2M | 1.1K t |
| 2022 | $12.2M | 1.5K t |
| 2021 | $12.1M | 1.6K t |
| 2020 | $12.6M | 1.6K t |
| 2019 | $12.6M | 1.6K t |
| 2018 | $6.2M | 986 t |
| 2017 | $5.9M | 855 t |
Where Kenya imports colored printing ink from
Most of the value came from India (21%), South Korea (10%), China (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 39%. Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $1.6M | 21% |
| South Korea | $787K | 10% |
| China | $647K | 8.3% |
| Sweden | $627K | 8% |
| United Kingdom | $573K | 7.3% |
| Italy | $524K | 6.7% |
| Germany | $423K | 5.4% |
| United Arab Emirates | $418K | 5.3% |
| Egypt | $387K | 4.9% |
| South Africa | $343K | 4.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.01 per kg, 28% below the world average of $8.29, 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.
Colored printing ink exports from Kenya
In 2024, Kenya exported colored printing ink worth $3.4 million (874 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Ethiopia (45%), Tanzania (27%), Uganda (15%).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Ethiopia | $1.6M | 45% |
| Tanzania | $926K | 27% |
| Uganda | $533K | 16% |
| Rwanda | $196K | 5.7% |
| India | $57K | 1.6% |
| Madagascar | $52K | 1.5% |
| Burundi | $37K | 1.1% |
| Zambia | $33K | 1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $24K | 0.7% |
| Sri Lanka | $20K | 0.6% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya colored printing ink imports (HS 3215.19): 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 3215.19: Ink: for printing, other than black, whether or not concentrated or solid.
Common questions
What is the value of colored printing ink imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported colored printing ink worth $7.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 84th of 218 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply colored printing ink to Kenya?
India was the largest supplier with 21% of the value ($1.6 million), followed by South Korea (10%) and China (8%). The top three together account for 39%, out of 38 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 31% on the year.
What is the average import price of colored printing ink per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.01 per kg in 2024, 28% below the world average of $8.29 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of colored printing ink to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $5.9 million in 2017 to $7.8 million in 2024, an increase of 32%. The peak was 2019 at $12.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $9.6 million a year.
Does Kenya also export colored printing ink?
Yes. Kenya exported $3.4 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $4.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for colored printing ink?
The HS code for colored printing ink is subheading 3215.19. 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?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for Kenya. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World colored printing ink trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for Kenya
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