Synthetic staple yarn imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of synthetic staple yarn by Kenya reached $28.9 million in 2024 (15.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 20% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $36.6 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 | $28.9M | 15.6K t |
| 2023 | $24.1M | 10.7K t |
| 2022 | $36.6M | 12.0K t |
| 2021 | $29.0M | 10.5K t |
| 2020 | $17.9M | 8.6K t |
| 2019 | $23.6M | 11.2K t |
| 2018 | $27.0M | 14.2K t |
| 2017 | $20.3M | 12.8K t |
Where Kenya imports synthetic staple yarn from
India alone supplied 53% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+347% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $15.4M | 53% |
| Indonesia | $8.9M | 31% |
| China | $3.8M | 13% |
| Malaysia | $471K | 1.6% |
| Egypt | $233K | 0.8% |
| Thailand | $58K | 0.2% |
| Taiwan | $10K | 0% |
| South Africa | $4K | 0% |
| Philippines | $2K | 0% |
| Turkey | $0K | 0% |
Product types under HS 5509
| 5509.32 | Plied acrylic staple yarn | 48% |
| 5509.21 | Polyester staple yarn | 13% |
| 5509.41 | Synthetic staple yarn (other) | 12% |
| 5509.69 | Acrylic blend yarn (other) | 7.5% |
| 5509.59 | Polyester blend yarn (other) | 7.3% |
| 5509.51 | Polyester-rayon blend yarn | 6.4% |
| 5509.22 | Plied polyester staple yarn | 2.6% |
| 5509.53 | Polyester-cotton blend yarn | 1.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5509.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.86 per kg, 38% below the world average of $3.00, 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.
Synthetic staple yarn exports from Kenya
In 2024, Kenya exported synthetic staple yarn worth $2.5 million (536 tonnes). Tanzania alone took 74% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest (+237% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | $1.8M | 75% |
| Republic of the Congo | $246K | 10% |
| Uganda | $203K | 8.3% |
| DR Congo | $100K | 4.1% |
| Burundi | $34K | 1.4% |
| Rwanda | $20K | 0.8% |
| Zambia | $10K | 0.4% |
| Burkina Faso | $6K | 0.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $5K | 0.2% |
| Portugal | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya synthetic staple yarn imports (HS 5509): 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 5509: Yarn (other than sewing thread) of synthetic staple fibres, not put up for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of synthetic staple yarn imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported synthetic staple yarn worth $28.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 15.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 37th of 196 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 20% on 2023.
Which countries supply synthetic staple yarn to Kenya?
India was the largest supplier with 53% of the value ($15.4 million), followed by Indonesia (31%) and China (13%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 14 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 347% on the year.
What is the average import price of synthetic staple yarn per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.86 per kg in 2024, 38% below the world average of $3.00 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of synthetic staple yarn to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $20.3 million in 2017 to $28.9 million in 2024, an increase of 42%. The peak was 2022 at $36.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $25.9 million a year.
Does Kenya also export synthetic staple yarn?
Yes. Kenya exported $2.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Tanzania, the Republic of the Congo and Uganda. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $26.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for synthetic staple yarn?
The HS code for synthetic staple yarn is heading 5509. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 5509.32 (48% of the value) and 5509.21 (13%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Kenya reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World synthetic staple yarn trade: top importers and exporters
Synthetic staple yarn product types in Kenya
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