sisal fibre for the production in carpet, rugs, flooring, handicraft, gypsum, brushes used in machinery, and pulp.

1. SISAL PRODUCTION IN KENYA

2. PRODUCTION IN KENYA
 Kenya is ranked third largest producer after
Brazil and China. The main export markets
include China, Spain, Morocco, Portugal and
Saudi Arabia.
 Over 80% of the sisal fibre produced in Kenya is
exported while the remaining 20% produced by
smallholders is processed in cordage and
cottage industries to make products for both
local and export market.

3. KENYA SISAL BOARD
Kenya Sisal Board is a statutory organization of the
government, established under the Sisal Industry Act, CAP 341
in 1946. Its main purpose is to promote the welfare of the sisal
industry as provided for in the Act.

4. AGAVE SISALANA
This class of sisal has been carefully been selected for its
properties of hardiness, being well adapted and resistant to
diseases and water logging.

5. ECOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS
 a) Altitude
 Sisal grows best in areas ranging from sea level to 1800m above sea level.
 b) Temperature
 Sisal grows under diverse temperatures ranging from the hot humid coastal
regions to the cooler and drier areas in the hinterland i.e. between 16 oC
and 27 oC.
 c) Rainfall
 Sisal is a drought tolerant plant and requires 500 - 1200mm of rainfall, well
distributed throughout the year, and preferably in a bi-modal pattern.
 d) Soils
 Sisal does well in a wide range of soils; from the black cotton soils, red clay
soils, to the sandy loams. The soils should be deep, free draining, and of PH
range 5.0 - 8.0 (optimum 6.2).

6. PROCESSING
• Decortication or Fibre extraction
• Drying-
 After decortication the fibre is taken to the drying ground
where it is spread over wires.
• Brushing
 Before baling sisal must be brushed to remove pieces which
adhere after decortication and drying.
 Brushing also frees individual fibers from each other and
removes the short fibres, which are called tow.
• Grading is done for marketing purposes as different grades
attract different prices.
• Baling and packing are aimed at achieving the lowest
possible volume, in order to realize savings on freight
charges, while facilitating ease of handling. Sisal fibre is
therefore baled under great pressure to achieve high
density.

7. USES OF SISAL IN TODAYS INDUSTRIES
• Sisal Ropes
• Sisal carpets and rugs
• Sisal gloves and bathroom accessories
• Brushes used in machinery
• Construction and gypsum for interiors
• Sisal pulp
• Furniture

8. Sisal Suppliers  Email:
and exporters
 fibrexport@aol.com
 Tel:
 +254728442255
 P.O.Box 1466,
 Mombasa, Kenya
 www.aqsam.kbo.co.ke
ASQAM TRADING LTD