Household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls and sheets in Eastern Africa grew from 73 459 t in 2018 to 88 027 t in 2023. Domestic production held steady at 17 695 t each year, so all changes in market volume came from shifts in net imports, primarily driven by import fluctuations.

A sharp rise in imports to 70 217 t in 2021 pushed the market to 85 289 t. The following year, however, the market shrank to 81 874 t as imports dropped. This contraction occurred alongside a reported doubling of tissue paper prices in Kenya, caused by high costs for imported pulp, which increased production expenses and likely restrained import volumes and consumer spending.

Consumer preferences in the region, especially in Kenya, highlighted product quality as a major purchase factor, along with affordability and availability. The market rebounded in 2023, reaching 88 027 t, as imports recovered to 73 297 t.

Production household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

World map of production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

In Eastern Africa, production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets remained broadly stable in 2020, with output reaching 17 695 tonnes. This figure was largely unchanged from the previous year, 2019. Notably, the largest decline in production occurred in 2018, at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets saw a sharp decline in 2020, dropping to 1 406 tonnes. This represents a significant decrease of 39.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 37.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.7%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 325 tonnes, which also marked the largest increase of 34.4% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo consistently held the largest share of exports in kind for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Eastern Africa, accounting for 2.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Eastern Africa declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 2 508 thousand US dollars. This was a 16.9% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 23.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.6%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 3 350 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo remained the principal buyer of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Eastern Africa in value terms, taking 2.9% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year uptick, Eastern Africa's import volume of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets declined in 2020, amounting to 60 201 tonnes. This was a 2.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 13.9%, with an annualized rate of 4.4%. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 61 690 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 8.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, South Africa, and China formed the main cluster of markets for imports in kind of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets into Eastern Africa. Egypt accounted for 47.5% of imports, South Africa for 13.1%, and China for 10.6%, with their combined share reaching 71.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year gain, Eastern Africa's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets declined in 2020, with import volume reaching 71 228 thousand US dollars. This represented a moderate decline of 9.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 5.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 78 387 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Egypt, South Africa, and China continued to be the main suppliers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Eastern Africa in value terms. Egypt accounted for 47.2% of imports, South Africa for 12.6%, and China for 11.8%, jointly forming 71.6% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Eastern Africa in value, 2017-2020