Polyester staple yarn imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $3.7 million of polyester staple yarn in 2024 (2.3 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 588% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 37% 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 | $3.7M | 2.3K t |
| 2023 | $536K | 161 t |
| 2022 | $2.3M | 911 t |
| 2021 | $157K | 46 t |
| 2020 | $104K | 41 t |
| 2019 | $175K | 67 t |
| 2018 | $617K | 309 t |
| 2017 | $411K | 244 t |
Where Kenya imports polyester staple yarn from
China alone supplied 82% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+478% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.0M | 82% |
| India | $649K | 18% |
| Vietnam | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.57 per kg, 21% below the world average of $1.98, 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 Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya polyester staple yarn imports (HS 5509.21): 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 5509.21: Yarn: (not sewing thread), single, of synthetic staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of polyester, not put up for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of polyester staple yarn imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported polyester staple yarn worth $3.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 36th of 137 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 588% on 2023.
Which countries supply polyester staple yarn to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 82% of the value ($3.0 million), followed by India (18%) and Vietnam (0%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 3 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 478% on the year.
What is the average import price of polyester staple yarn per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.57 per kg in 2024, 21% below the world average of $1.98 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of polyester staple yarn to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $411 thousand in 2017 to $3.7 million in 2024, an increase of 797%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $1.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for polyester staple yarn?
The HS code for polyester staple yarn is subheading 5509.21. It sits in HS chapter 55 (man-made staple fibres). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5509 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 polyester staple yarn trade: top importers and exporters
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