Synthetic tow imports in Kenya: data, top suppliers and prices
Kenya imported $49.8 million of synthetic tow in 2024 (18.3 thousand tonnes). It ranks 6th of 167 countries for imports of this product. That is 9% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 21% 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 | $49.8M | 18.3K t |
| 2023 | $45.6M | 16.6K t |
| 2022 | $48.7M | 16.2K t |
| 2021 | $49.9M | 16.3K t |
| 2020 | $39.7M | 14.8K t |
| 2019 | $47.4M | 14.5K t |
| 2018 | $16.6M | 5.4K t |
| 2017 | $13.1M | 4.5K t |
Where Kenya imports synthetic tow from
Most of the value came from South Korea (33%), Japan (27%), Singapore (10%). Among the main suppliers, Singapore grew fastest (+50% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | $16.3M | 33% |
| Japan | $13.5M | 27% |
| Singapore | $5.1M | 10% |
| South Africa | $4.8M | 9.7% |
| Turkey | $3.1M | 6.3% |
| China | $2.5M | 5% |
| Thailand | $1.5M | 3% |
| Portugal | $1.5M | 3% |
| Malaysia | $621K | 1.3% |
| Tanzania | $491K | 1% |
Product types under HS 5501
| 5501.90 | Synthetic filament tow (other) | 53% |
| 5501.30 | Acrylic filament tow | 29% |
| 5501.40 | Fibres: synthetic filament tow, of polypropylene | 16% |
| 5501.20 | Polyester filament tow | 2.2% |
| 5501.10 | Nylon filament tow | 1.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5501.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.72 per kg, close to the world average of $3.14.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Synthetic tow exports from Kenya
In 2024, Kenya exported synthetic tow worth $436 thousand (201 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Nigeria accounted for 61% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest (+42% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | $267K | 61% |
| Tanzania | $75K | 17% |
| Saudi Arabia | $55K | 13% |
| Eswatini | $39K | 8.9% |
| South Korea | $0K | 0% |
| Turkey | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Kenya?
The shipment records behind Kenya synthetic tow imports (HS 5501): 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 5501: Synthetic filament tow.
Common questions
What is the value of synthetic tow imported by Kenya?
Kenya imported synthetic tow worth $49.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 18.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 6th of 167 countries worldwide, with 5% of world imports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply synthetic tow to Kenya?
South Korea was the largest supplier with 33% of the value ($16.3 million), followed by Japan (27%) and Singapore (10%). The top three together account for 70%, out of 15 supplier countries in total. Tanzania grew fastest among the top ten, up 205% on the year.
What is the average import price of synthetic tow per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.72 per kg in 2024, 13% below the world average of $3.14 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 tow to Kenya changed since 2017?
Imports went from $13.1 million in 2017 to $49.8 million in 2024, an increase of 280%. The peak was 2021 at $49.9 million. Over 8 years the average was $38.8 million a year.
Does Kenya also export synthetic tow?
Yes. Kenya exported $436 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Nigeria, Tanzania and Saudi Arabia. On balance Kenya is a net importer of this product, by about $49.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for synthetic tow?
The HS code for synthetic tow is heading 5501. In Kenya the largest six-digit codes were 5501.90 (53% of the value) and 5501.30 (28%).
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
Synthetic tow product types in Kenya
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