Polystyrene imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, Kenya imported polystyrene worth $9.8 million (7.2 thousand tonnes). Value rose 14% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 11% 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 | $9.8M | 7.2K t |
| 2023 | $8.6M | 6.4K t |
| 2022 | $10.6M | 6.0K t |
| 2021 | $10.5M | 6.9K t |
| 2020 | $8.9M | 8.7K t |
| 2019 | $7.6M | 6.3K t |
| 2018 | $7.2M | 5.7K t |
| 2017 | $4.7M | 3.3K t |
Where Kenya imports polystyrene from
The largest suppliers were China (28%), Taiwan (22%), India (10%). Among the main suppliers, Tunisia grew fastest (+227% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.8M | 28% |
| Taiwan | $2.1M | 22% |
| India | $969K | 9.9% |
| South Korea | $850K | 8.7% |
| Tunisia | $845K | 8.6% |
| Saudi Arabia | $517K | 5.3% |
| Malaysia | $509K | 5.2% |
| Turkey | $382K | 3.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $372K | 3.8% |
| Pakistan | $186K | 1.9% |
Product types under HS 3903
| 3903.19 | Polystyrene resin | 44% |
| 3903.90 | Styrene polymers (other) | 31% |
| 3903.11 | Expandable polystyrene beads | 17% |
| 3903.30 | Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene | 6.7% |
| 3903.20 | Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer | 1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3903.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.36 per kg, close to the world average of $1.69.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Polystyrene exports from Kenya
Kenya exported $1.3 million of polystyrene in 2024 (887 tonnes). Most of it went to Burundi (26%), Tanzania (24%), Zambia (23%). Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest (+444% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Burundi | $344K | 26% |
| Tanzania | $327K | 25% |
| Zambia | $310K | 23% |
| Rwanda | $229K | 17% |
| Uganda | $72K | 5.4% |
| Republic of the Congo | $20K | 1.5% |
| Malaysia | $15K | 1.1% |
| France | $7K | 0.5% |
| South Sudan | $4K | 0.3% |
| Mozambique | $3K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya polystyrene imports (HS 3903): 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 3903: Polymers of styrene, in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of polystyrene imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported polystyrene worth $9.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 7.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 93rd of 212 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 14% on 2023.
Which countries supply polystyrene to Kenya?
China was the largest supplier with 28% of the value ($2.8 million), followed by Taiwan (22%) and India (10%). The top three together account for 60%, out of 26 supplier countries in total. Tunisia grew fastest among the top ten, up 227% on the year.
What is the average import price of polystyrene per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.36 per kg in 2024, 20% below the world average of $1.69 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of polystyrene to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.7 million in 2017 to $9.8 million in 2024, an increase of 108%. The peak was 2022 at $10.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $8.5 million a year.
Does Kenya also export polystyrene?
Yes. Kenya exported $1.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $8.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for polystyrene?
The HS code for polystyrene is heading 3903. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 3903.19 (44% of the value) and 3903.90 (31%).
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
Polystyrene product types in Kenya
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