Water-based paint exports from Uganda: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, Uganda exported water-based paint worth $7.7 million (5.8 thousand tonnes). Value rose 19% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 326% 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 | $7.7M | 5.8K t |
| 2023 | $6.5M | 5.3K t |
| 2022 | $2.4M | 2.2K t |
| 2021 | $1.8M | 1.9K t |
| 2020 | $800K | 836 t |
| 2019 | $783K | 1.2K t |
| 2018 | $986K | 900 t |
| 2017 | $0K | - |
Where Uganda exports water-based paint to
One buyer market dominates: South Sudan accounted for 85% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Sudan | $6.5M | 85% |
| DR Congo | $1.1M | 14% |
| Rwanda | $77K | 1% |
| Burundi | $16K | 0.2% |
| China | $0K | 0% |
| Egypt | $0K | 0% |
Product types under HS 3209
| 3209.90 | Water-based polymer paint | 99% |
| 3209.10 | Acrylic water-based paint | 1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 3209.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.32 per kg, 57% below the world average of $3.08, 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.
Water-based paint imports to Uganda
In 2024, Uganda imported water-based paint worth $2.6 million (1.2 thousand tonnes). Kenya alone supplied 52% of it. Among the main suppliers, Belgium grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | $1.4M | 52% |
| United Arab Emirates | $595K | 23% |
| Belgium | $200K | 7.7% |
| China | $185K | 7.1% |
| Egypt | $85K | 3.3% |
| South Africa | $52K | 2% |
| India | $32K | 1.2% |
| United Kingdom | $21K | 0.8% |
| Rwanda | $20K | 0.8% |
| Italy | $19K | 0.7% |
Who is behind these numbers in Uganda?
The shipment records behind Uganda water-based paint exports (HS 3209): 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 3209: Paints and varnishes (including enamels and lacquers) based on synthetic or chemically modified natural polymers, dispersed or dissolved in an aqueous medium.
Common questions
What is the value of water-based paint exported by Uganda?
Uganda exported water-based paint worth $7.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 5.8 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 58th of 175 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 19% on 2023.
Which countries buy water-based paint from Uganda?
South Sudan was the largest buyer with 85% of the value ($6.5 million), followed by the DR Congo (14%) and Rwanda (1%). The top three together account for 100%, out of 6 buyer countries in total. South Sudan grew fastest among the top ten, up 20% on the year.
What is the average export price of water-based paint per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.32 per kg in 2024, 57% below the world average of $3.08 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of water-based paint from Uganda changed since 2017?
Exports went from $0 thousand in 2017 to $7.7 million in 2024. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $2.6 million a year.
Does Uganda also import water-based paint?
Yes. Uganda imported $2.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Kenya, the United Arab Emirates and Belgium. On balance Uganda is a net exporter of this product, by about $5.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for water-based paint?
The HS code for water-based paint is heading 3209. In Uganda the largest six-digit codes were 3209.90 (99% of the value) and 3209.10 (1%).
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 Uganda. Tell us your product to see it live.
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