What is sisal, sisal is used in manufacture of ropes, carpets, rugs, pulp, brushes,

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. Email:
fibrexport@aol.co
m
Tel:
+254728442255
P.O.Box 1466,
Mombasa, Kenya