Africa: Corrugated Paper Market 2025

Corrugated Paper Market Size in Africa

In 2021, the African corrugated paper market decreased by -0.2% to $X for the first time since 2015, thus ending a five-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +48.7% against 2015 indices. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Corrugated Paper Production in Africa

In value terms, corrugated paper production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -0.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Corrugated Paper Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, after four years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of corrugated paper and paperboard, when their volume increased by 27% to X tons. Overall, exports showed a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 89% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, corrugated paper exports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 88% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2017 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Morocco was the key exporter of corrugated paper and paperboard in Africa, with the volume of exports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 57% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons) and Ghana (X tons), together constituting a 31% share of total exports. Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from Morocco increased at an average annual rate of +10.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+39.3%) and South Africa (+8.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +39.3% from 2012-2021. Ghana experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Cote d'Ivoire (-9.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Morocco (+15 p.p.), South Africa (+4.3 p.p.) and Zimbabwe (+2.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire saw its share reduced by -4.8% and -13.3% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, Morocco ($X) remains the largest corrugated paper supplier in Africa, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a 21% share of total exports. It was followed by Ghana, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Morocco totaled +9.5%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Africa (+5.7% per year) and Ghana (+1.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 1.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a slight shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 7.5% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Corrugated Paper Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of corrugated paper and paperboard were imported in Africa; jumping by 34% compared with 2020. Overall, imports continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, corrugated paper imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports recorded buoyant growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of corrugated paper imports in 2021 were Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Mauritania (X tons) and Morocco (X tons), together recording 52% of total import. It was distantly followed by Namibia (X tons), Mozambique (X tons), Algeria (X tons) and Egypt (X tons), together generating a 26% share of total imports. Burkina Faso (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Libya (X tons), Nigeria (X tons) and Djibouti (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Morocco (with a CAGR of +40.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest corrugated paper importing markets in Africa were Mauritania ($X), Morocco ($X) and Cote d'Ivoire ($X), together comprising 46% of total imports.

Cote d'Ivoire, with a CAGR of +33.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 14% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while Namibia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Algeria (+17.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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