Africa: Plastic Container Market 2024

Plastic Container Market Size in Africa

In 2021, the African plastic container market decreased by -1.6% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +43.1% against 2017 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Plastic Container Production in Africa

In value terms, plastic container production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +42.0% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 19%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Plastic Container Exports

Exports in Africa

For the third consecutive year, Africa recorded growth in shipments abroad of plastic containers, which increased by 34% to X tons in 2021. Total exports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% 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 +22.1% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic container exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 32%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

South Africa prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 71% of total exports in 2021. Morocco (X tons) held a 5.4% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Egypt (5.4%). The following exporters - Mauritius (X tons), Kenya (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) - together made up 11% of total exports.

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+52.8%), Mauritius (+49.8%), Morocco (+11.6%), Egypt (+5.2%) and Tanzania (+3.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +52.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Kenya (-7.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Mauritius (+3.4 p.p.), South Africa (+2.9 p.p.), Zimbabwe (+2.7 p.p.) and Morocco (+2.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Kenya saw its share reduced by -5.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest plastic container supplier in Africa, comprising 56% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Egypt ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Mauritius, with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa totaled +3.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Egypt (+5.8% per year) and Mauritius (+45.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the export price increased by 18%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+0.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Plastic Container Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of plastic containers increased by 17% to X tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after two years of decline. Total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +74.0% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, plastic container imports rose sharply to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 16%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Senegal (X tons), Morocco (X tons), Namibia (X tons), Mozambique (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Sudan (X tons), Gabon (X tons), Mauritania (X tons), Djibouti (X tons), Botswana (X tons), Somalia (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) represented the key importer of plastic containers in Africa, creating 54% of total import. Libya (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Djibouti (with a CAGR of +46.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Morocco ($X), South Africa ($X) and Senegal ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 23% of total imports. Sudan, Mozambique, Namibia, Djibouti, Libya, Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Mauritania and Botswana lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

Djibouti, with a CAGR of +47.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, declining by -5.1% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a mild downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 2.9%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Botswana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Somalia (+3.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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