Paint pigment imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $5.0 million of paint pigment in 2024 (606 tonnes). That is 18% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $6.6 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 | $5.0M | 606 t |
| 2023 | $4.2M | 486 t |
| 2022 | $6.5M | 774 t |
| 2021 | $6.6M | 941 t |
| 2020 | $6.5M | 906 t |
| 2019 | $5.1M | 989 t |
| 2018 | $2.7M | 557 t |
| 2017 | $4.0M | 668 t |
Where Kenya imports paint pigment from
One supplier dominates: South Africa accounted for 81% of the value. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+69% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $4.1M | 81% |
| China | $277K | 5.5% |
| Germany | $145K | 2.9% |
| Taiwan | $133K | 2.6% |
| India | $108K | 2.1% |
| Egypt | $62K | 1.2% |
| South Korea | $54K | 1.1% |
| Sweden | $49K | 1% |
| Slovenia | $28K | 0.6% |
| United States | $18K | 0.4% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.30 per kg, close to the world average of $8.99.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Paint pigment exports from Kenya
Exports of paint pigment by Kenya reached $810 thousand in 2024 (397 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Uganda (43%), Rwanda (25%), Tanzania (17%). Among the main buyer markets, South Sudan grew fastest (+254% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $350K | 43% |
| Rwanda | $203K | 25% |
| Tanzania | $136K | 17% |
| South Sudan | $75K | 9.2% |
| Ethiopia | $29K | 3.6% |
| Burundi | $12K | 1.5% |
| Mozambique | $3K | 0.4% |
| Malawi | $2K | 0.2% |
| Malaysia | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya paint pigment imports (HS 3212.90): 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 3212.90: Pigments: of a kind used in the manufacture of paints, other than stamping foils.
Common questions
What is the value of paint pigment imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported paint pigment worth $5.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 606 tonnes. That ranks it 52nd of 209 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 18% on 2023.
Which countries supply paint pigment to Kenya?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 81% of the value ($4.1 million), followed by China (6%) and Germany (3%). The top three together account for 90%, out of 27 supplier countries in total. Egypt grew fastest among the top ten, up 499% on the year.
What is the average import price of paint pigment per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.30 per kg in 2024, 8% below the world average of $8.99 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of paint pigment to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.0 million in 2017 to $5.0 million in 2024, an increase of 27%. The peak was 2021 at $6.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $5.1 million a year.
Does Kenya also export paint pigment?
Yes. Kenya exported $810 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $4.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for paint pigment?
The HS code for paint pigment is subheading 3212.90. 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 3212 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.
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