Non wood fibre pulp market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, production of non-wood fibre pulp in Eastern Africa remained stable at 11 400 t each year. The market volume, however, fluctuated due to changes in imports, peaking at 14 107 t in 2019—an 18% increase from 2018—driven by a sharp rise in imports to 2 725 t. This period coincided with government support through the Fibre Crops Directorate and the spread of mechanization, such as sisal decorticator machines, which enhanced fibre extraction efficiency and supported the sisal farming revival in Kenya, a key source for pulp raw materials.

After 2019, the market volume gradually declined to 12 528 t by 2023, as imports fell steadily from 2 609 t in 2020 to 1 209 t in 2023. Exports remained minimal except for a temporary increase in 2021-2022. By 2024, authorities advocated for reviving the fibre crops industry through new draft regulations aimed at streamlining production, processing, and marketing, with Kenya being a top global sisal producer and exploring diversification into other fibre crops like jute and kenaf.

Production non wood fibre pulp in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

World map of production of non wood fibre pulp, 2017-2020

In 2020, Eastern Africa produced 11,400 tons of non-wood fiber pulp, maintaining stable output compared to the previous year. The most significant change occurred in 2018, with both the largest decline and increase recorded at 0.0%.

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

Exports non wood fibre pulp from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Non-wood fiber pulp exports from Eastern Africa declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 9 tons, marking a sharp decrease of 51.3% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 95.6%, equivalent to an annualized decline rate of 64.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Eswatini, and Japan formed the main cluster of markets for exports in kind. India accounted for 37.4% of exports, Eswatini for 7.1%, and Japan for 4.8%, together representing 49.3% of total export 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

Foreign non-wood fiber pulp supplies from Eastern Africa declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported $9,000 worth of non-wood fiber pulp, indicating a sharp decline of 32.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 92.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -58.1%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Eswatini accounted for 20.4% of exports, India for 7.5%, and Japan for 3.7%, together making up 31.7% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position during this period.

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 non wood fibre pulp to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 637 tons and peaked in 2019 at 2,725 tons, with a 4.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Eastern Africa imported 2,609 tons of non-wood fiber pulp, a decrease of 4.2% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 70.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 327.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Indonesia, and the United States continued to be the main suppliers of non-wood fiber pulp to Eastern Africa. China accounted for 41.6% of imports in kind, Indonesia for 14.6%, and the United States for 13.9%, jointly forming 70.1% of total imports.

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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports hit their minimum in 2018 at $663,000 and their maximum in 2019 at $2,621,000, showing a 4-fold variation. In 2020, Eastern Africa's non-wood fiber pulp imports amounted to $2,124,000, down by 19.0% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 53.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 295.4%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—China, the United States, and Indonesia—remained central to imports in value terms, together accounting for 67.0% of total flows.

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

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