South Africa - Plastic Packaging - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
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View PricingSouth Africa Sees Slight Decline in Plastic Packaging Exports, Dropping to $115M in 2023
South Africa Plastic Packaging Exports
For the third consecutive year, South Africa recorded growth in shipments abroad of plastic packaging, which increased by 17% to 65K tons in 2023. In general, total exports indicated a notable expansion from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by +67.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 24%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum in 2023 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.
In value terms, plastic packaging exports fell to $115M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2013 to 2023; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $125M in 2022, and then contracted in the following year.
| COUNTRY | Export Value of Plastic Packaging in South Africa (million USD) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| Namibia | 19.2 | 20.9 | 19.4 | 18.4 | 21.5 | 25.4 | 20.5 | 16.7 | 18.5 | 17.2 | 23.3 |
| Botswana | 9.3 | 11.3 | 9.5 | 9.7 | 10.1 | 13.7 | 12.9 | 9.7 | 13.1 | 11.6 | 14.6 |
| Mozambique | 9.0 | 10.0 | 8.3 | 7.5 | 7.1 | 7.2 | 10.8 | 8.4 | 9.0 | 9.2 | 12.1 |
| Swaziland | 12.7 | 13.5 | 12.4 | 11.0 | 10.9 | 11.7 | 11.1 | 10.1 | 14.2 | 10.6 | 11.9 |
| Zimbabwe | 15.6 | 12.4 | 10.0 | 9.1 | 8.8 | 14.1 | 5.1 | 5.8 | 11.4 | 8.5 | 11.6 |
| Zambia | 8.7 | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.5 | 7.0 | 7.6 | 5.2 | 7.4 | 17.6 | 9.2 |
| United States | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 7.0 | 16.5 | 17.9 | 20.9 | 5.7 |
| Others | 27.8 | 28.0 | 26.5 | 27.3 | 37.1 | 32.2 | 35.2 | 23.1 | 28.3 | 29.8 | 27.1 |
| Total | 104 | 105 | 94.5 | 91.1 | 106 | 114 | 110 | 95.5 | 120 | 125 | 115 |
Exports by Country
Mozambique (13K tons), Namibia (12K tons) and Botswana (11K tons) were the main destinations of plastic packaging exports from South Africa, with a combined 55% share of total exports. Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +15.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Namibia ($23M), Botswana ($15M) and Mozambique ($12M) appeared to be the largest markets for plastic packaging exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 43% share of total exports. Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.
the United States, with a CAGR of +12.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports by Type
Plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles (35K tons), plastic sacks and bags (20K tons) and carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics (9.7K tons) were the main products of plastic packaging exports from South Africa.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the major product types, was attained by plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles (with a CAGR of +8.7%), while the other products experienced mixed trend patterns.
In value terms, plastic packaging with the largest exports in South Africa were plastic sacks and bags ($62M), plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles ($33M) and carboys, bottles and similar articles of plastics ($21M).
Plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar packing articles, with a CAGR of +3.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main product categories over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced mixed trend patterns.
Export Prices by Country
In 2023, the plastic packaging price amounted to $1,788 per ton (FOB, South Africa), declining by -21.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 19%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $2,778 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, the export prices failed to regain momentum.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($5,830 per ton), while the average price for exports to Mozambique ($932 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Swaziland (+3.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the plastic packaging 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:
- Prodcom 22221300 - Plastic boxes, cases, crates and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods
- Prodcom 22221100 - Sacks and bags of polymers of ethylene (including cones)
- Prodcom 22221200 - Plastic sacks and bags (including cones) (excluding of polymers of ethylene)
- Prodcom 22221450 - Plastic carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of a capacity . 2 litres
- Prodcom 22221470 - Plastic carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles for the conveyance or packing of goods, of a capacity > 2 litres
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
