Africa: Folding Boxboard Market 2025

Folding Boxboard Market Size in Africa

In 2021, the African folding boxboard market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Folding Boxboard Production in Africa

In value terms, folding boxboard production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 45% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Folding Boxboard Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of folding boxboard were exported in Africa; growing by 34% on 2020 figures. Total exports indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +64.2% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 37%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, folding boxboard exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +80.2% against 2019 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

South Africa (X tons) and Egypt (X tons) dominates exports structure, together committing 72% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Namibia (X tons), achieving a 5.5% share of total exports. Sudan (X tons), Kenya (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Swaziland (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Swaziland (with a CAGR of +35.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Egypt ($X) and Kenya ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 84% of total exports. Namibia, Zambia, Sudan and Swaziland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 9%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Sudan, with a CAGR of +75.3%, saw 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

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 18% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +4.9%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per ton), while Swaziland ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Sudan (+30.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Folding Boxboard Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of folding boxboard decreased by -5% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, folding boxboard imports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 16%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Egypt (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) represented the major importers of folding boxboard in Africa, together constituting 46% of total imports. Morocco (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Algeria (X tons) and Kenya (X tons). All these countries together held near 29% share of total imports. Nigeria (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Burundi (X tons), Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Ghana (with a CAGR of +22.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest folding boxboard importing markets in Africa were Egypt ($X), South Africa ($X) and Morocco ($X), with a combined 60% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Algeria, Nigeria, Kenya, Tunisia, Zambia, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana and Burundi, which together accounted for a further 28%.

Burundi, with a CAGR of +19.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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, with an increase of 15% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a mild reduction. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Burundi ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+1.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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