The rapid rise reflection of Kenya’s Aluminium scrap export market during 2017-20

Kenya is a country in East Africa with coastline on the Indian Ocean. The economy of Kenya is a market-based economy with a liberalised external trade system and a few state enterprises. Major industries include agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, manufacturing, energy, tourism and financial services.

Aluminium enters Kenya as imported products, and scrap is either recycled locally or exported. The scrap dealers were the firms dealing with bulky aluminium scrap sourced from small scale dealers located within their home town and other smaller towns. They also bought scrap through tenders from companies and government institutions. The scrap collected was sold to the foundries, and the surplus was exported.

The aluminium scraps export of Kenya has shown a lighting growth during 2017-19 as the volume recorded was 11,459 tonnes and the foreign revenue generation remained at $18.91 million. The forecasted export volume for 2020 has been analysed at 8672 tonnes and the income to be generated is $14.80 million. When the 2020 export volume and income are added with the preceding three years, the export reflects 20,131 tonnes and foreign revenue generation stretches to $33.71 million.

In 2017 the Kenyan aluminium scrap export was recorded at 1006 tonnes only with revenue generation stood at $1.58 million, whereas in 2018 the growth seems to be skyrocketing by 365.10%, as the total volume stood at 4679 tonnes, with Y-o-Y surplus of 3,673 tonnes. The revenue generation has also shown growth by 416.45%, as the total income stood at $8.16 million, with Y-o-Y excess by $6.58 million.

The aluminium scrap export of Kenya in 2019 also reflected growth both by volume and income, as it was recorded 5574 tonnes and $9.17 million.

The estimated export volume for 2020 has also reflected growth by 50.19%, as the export volume might reach 8672 tonnes and the foreign revenue income might tick up to $14.80 million.

Kenya’s aluminium export trading nations are India, Taiwan, Thailand, UK, etc.