Africa: Paper And Paperboard Market 2025

Paper And Paperboard Market Size in Africa

The African paper and paperboard market reduced to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -2.5% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, saw a strong expansion. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Paper And Paperboard Production in Africa

In value terms, paper and paperboard production dropped modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 98% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Paper And Paperboard Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) were exported in Africa; stabilizing at the previous year. In general, exports, however, showed a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 41%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper and paperboard exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 41%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) were the main exporters of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) in 2022, accounting for near 33% and 23% of total exports, respectively. Botswana (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 33% share of total exports. Tunisia (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Zimbabwe (with a CAGR of +29.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest paper and paperboard supplying countries in Africa were Egypt ($X), Mozambique ($X) and South Africa ($X), with a combined 88% share of total exports. Zimbabwe, Cote d'Ivoire, Tunisia and Botswana lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 9.9%.

Among the main exporting countries, Zimbabwe, with a CAGR of +36.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 18% against the previous year. Export price indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, paper and paperboard export price increased by +88.0% against 2013 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per ton), while Botswana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+12.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Paper And Paperboard Imports

Imports in Africa

After two years of growth, purchases abroad of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) decreased by -25.5% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 35% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, paper and paperboard imports declined remarkably to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 38%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) represented the largest importers of paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) in Africa, together finishing at approx. 39% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Ethiopia (X tons), Togo (X tons), Morocco (X tons) and Algeria (X tons), together committing a 27% share of total imports. Tunisia (X tons), Mauritius (X tons), Botswana (X tons), Mozambique (X tons), Egypt (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Togo (with a CAGR of +66.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported paper and paperboard (creped, crinkled, embossed or perforated) in Africa, comprising 23% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tunisia ($X), with an 11% share of total imports. It was followed by Nigeria, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa amounted to -1.2%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Tunisia (+15.4% per year) and Nigeria (+25.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 11% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tunisia (+9.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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