Printing equipment exports from Kenya: data, top buyers and prices
Kenya exported $2.1 million of printing equipment in 2024 (196 tonnes). That is 39% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 66% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2.1M | 196 t |
| 2023 | $1.5M | 151 t |
| 2022 | $1.3M | 155 t |
| 2021 | $1.3M | 103 t |
| 2020 | $1.0M | 109 t |
| 2019 | $841K | 78 t |
| 2018 | $521K | 54 t |
| 2017 | $58K | 1 t |
Where Kenya exports printing equipment to
Most of it went to Uganda (39%), Tanzania (38%), Zambia (13%). Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | $804K | 39% |
| Tanzania | $779K | 38% |
| Zambia | $277K | 13% |
| Malawi | $88K | 4.3% |
| Zimbabwe | $75K | 3.7% |
| South Africa | $27K | 1.3% |
| Rwanda | $4K | 0.2% |
| Nigeria | $4K | 0.2% |
| Namibia | $2K | 0.1% |
| Ethiopia | $2K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 8442
| 8442.50 | Lithographic printing plates | 98% |
| 8442.30 | Printing component preparation machinery | 1.6% |
| 8442.40 | Printing component machinery parts | 0.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 8442.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $10.51 per kg, 43% below the world average of $18.36, 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.
Printing equipment imports to Kenya
Imports of printing equipment by Kenya reached $1.7 million in 2024 (134 tonnes). Most of the value came from China (22%), India (22%), Germany (13%). Among the main suppliers, Sri Lanka grew fastest (+886% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $383K | 22% |
| India | $372K | 22% |
| Germany | $218K | 13% |
| Italy | $201K | 12% |
| Belgium | $169K | 9.8% |
| United Kingdom | $85K | 4.9% |
| Sri Lanka | $84K | 4.9% |
| Czech Republic | $44K | 2.5% |
| Turkey | $35K | 2.1% |
| South Africa | $29K | 1.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya printing equipment exports (HS 8442): 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 8442: Machinery, apparatus and equipment (excluding machines of headings 8456 to 8465) for preparing or making printing components; plates, cylinders and other printing components; lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes.
Common questions
What is the value of printing equipment exported by Kenya?
Kenya exported printing equipment worth $2.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 196 tonnes. That ranks it 41st of 128 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 39% on 2023.
Which countries buy printing equipment from Kenya?
Uganda was the largest buyer with 39% of the value ($804 thousand), followed by Tanzania (38%) and Zambia (13%). The top three together account for 90%, out of 10 buyer countries in total. Malawi grew fastest among the top ten, up 150% on the year.
What is the average export price of printing equipment per kg?
The average declared export value was about $10.51 per kg in 2024, 43% below the world average of $18.36 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of printing equipment from Kenya changed since 2017?
Exports went from $58 thousand in 2017 to $2.1 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $1.1 million a year.
Does Kenya also import printing equipment?
Yes. Kenya imported $1.7 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, India and Germany. That compares with exports of $2.1 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for printing equipment?
The HS code for printing equipment is heading 8442. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 8442.50 (98% of the value) and 8442.30 (2%).
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
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