South Africa - Packaging Materials - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
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View PricingSouth Africa's Imports of Packaging Materials Fall by 6% to Reach $478M in 2024
South Africa Packaging Materials Imports
Packaging materials imports into South Africa expanded sharply to 429K tons in 2024, with an increase of 9% on 2023 figures. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a measured expansion from 2014 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -17.7% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 with an increase of 50%. As a result, imports attained the peak of 521K tons. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, packaging materials imports shrank to $452M (IndexBox estimates) in 2024. In general, total imports indicated tangible growth from 2014 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -11.1% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $508M. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.
| COUNTRY | Import Value of Packaging Materials in South Africa (million USD) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| Germany | 28.3 | 23.6 | 22.7 | 19.6 | 17.9 | 36.8 | 25.1 | 38.9 | 34.9 | 63.4 |
| China | 34.5 | 34.0 | 35.2 | 28.7 | 28.4 | 30.7 | 20.1 | 28.4 | 50.6 | 47.1 |
| Finland | 27.7 | 19.6 | 17.4 | 22.9 | 25.6 | 35.6 | 29.0 | 27.6 | 50.4 | 46.5 |
| Pakistan | 5.7 | 7.1 | 8.5 | 8.4 | 5.7 | 7.6 | 18.8 | 27.5 | 30.9 | 33.1 |
| Brazil | 26.1 | 19.4 | 23.1 | 34.2 | 56.3 | 58.0 | 57.1 | 42.6 | 43.2 | 32.6 |
| Spain | 16.8 | 7.2 | 2.8 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 8.1 | 13.6 | 11.3 | 15.9 | 28.0 |
| United States | 28.7 | 23.4 | 21.8 | 21.6 | 20.3 | 20.0 | 22.6 | 20.6 | 29.9 | 27.1 |
| Austria | 25.5 | 31.0 | 22.1 | 13.9 | 8.3 | 9.6 | 18.0 | 19.2 | 27.7 | 19.3 |
| Sweden | 77.2 | 50.2 | 51.4 | 49.8 | 57.6 | 32.6 | 19.6 | 18.3 | 19.5 | 18.2 |
| Others | 97.8 | 121 | 107 | 116 | 150 | 132 | 122 | 147 | 205 | 163 |
| Total | 368 | 336 | 312 | 319 | 375 | 371 | 346 | 381 | 508 | 478 |
Imports by Country
Finland (42K tons), Brazil (42K tons) and China (38K tons) were the main suppliers of packaging materials imports to South Africa, together comprising 31% of total imports. Germany, the United States, Sweden, Spain, Austria and Pakistan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.
From 2014 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Pakistan (with a CAGR of +24.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest packaging materials suppliers to South Africa were Germany ($63M), China ($47M) and Finland ($46M), together comprising 33% of total imports. Pakistan, Brazil, Spain, the United States, Austria and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.
Pakistan, with a CAGR of +21.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports by Type
Folding boxboard (186K tons), paperboard case materials (132K tons) and wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard (107K tons) were the main products of packaging materials imports to South Africa, with a combined 99% share of total imports.
From 2014 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by paperboard case materials (with a CAGR of +15.7%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, folding boxboard ($253M) constituted the largest type of packaging materials supplied to South Africa, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by wrapping paper, packaging paper and paperboard ($114M), with a 25% share of total imports. It was followed by paperboard case materials, with an 18% share.
Import Prices by Country
In 2023, the packaging materials price amounted to $1,213 per ton (CIF, South Africa), jumping by 24% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The import price peaked at $1,218 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, import prices failed to regain momentum.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($1,983 per ton), while the price for Australia ($537 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2014 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+4.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the packaging materials market in South Africa. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.
Product coverage:
- FCL 1617 - Case materials
- FCL 1618 - Cartonboard
- FCL 1621 - Wrapping papers
- FCL 1622 - Other papers mainly for packaging
Country coverage:
- South Africa
Data coverage:
- Market volume and value
- Per Capita consumption
- Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
- Trade (exports and imports) in South Africa
- Export and import prices
- Market trends, drivers and restraints
- Key market players and their profiles
Reasons to buy this report:
- Take advantage of the latest data
- Find deeper insights into current market developments
- Discover vital success factors affecting the market
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.
In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:
- How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
- How to load your idle production capacity
- How to boost your sales on overseas markets
- How to increase your profit margins
- How to make your supply chain more sustainable
- How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
- How to outsource production to other countries
- How to prepare your business for global expansion
While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.
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1. INTRODUCTION
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
- REPORT DESCRIPTION
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
- DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
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2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
- KEY FINDINGS
- MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
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3. MARKET OVERVIEW
Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects
- MARKET SIZE
- MARKET STRUCTURE
- TRADE BALANCE
- PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
- MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
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4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
- BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
- MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
- MOST TRADED PRODUCT
- MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT
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5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
- TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
- LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
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6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
- UNSATURATED MARKETS
- TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
- MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
- PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
- IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
- IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
- IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
- EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
- EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
- EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
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10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO -
LIST OF TABLES
- Key Findings In 2024
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Market Value, 2012–2024
- Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
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LIST OF FIGURES
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Market Value, 2012–2024
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
- Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
- Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
- Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
- Market Volume Forecast to 2030
- Market Value Forecast to 2030
- Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
- Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
- Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
- Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
- Production Volume And Growth
- Exports And Growth
- Export Prices And Growth
- Market Size And Growth
- Per Capita Consumption
- Imports And Growth
- Import Prices
- Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
