Africa: Recovered Paper Market 2025

Recovered Paper Market Size in Africa

The African recovered paper market rose significantly to $X in 2022, growing by 8.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the market value increased by 9.1%. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Recovered Paper Production in Africa

In value terms, recovered paper production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 23%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Recovered Paper Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of recovered paper were exported in Africa; dropping by -18.4% compared with the previous year. Total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +47.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 80%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons, and then reduced notably in the following year.

In value terms, recovered paper exports declined to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 157% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports by Country

South Africa was the major exporter of recovered paper in Africa, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was near 38% of total exports in 2022. Algeria (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Morocco (X tons), Libya (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 42% share of total exports. The following exporters - Namibia (X tons), Botswana (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons), Mauritius (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) - together made up 11% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to recovered paper exports from South Africa stood at +4.1%. At the same time, Mozambique (+35.6%), Tanzania (+25.0%), Morocco (+19.9%), Algeria (+13.6%), Libya (+4.0%), Zimbabwe (+3.3%) and Botswana (+2.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mozambique emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +35.6% from 2012-2022. Mauritius experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Namibia (-2.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Morocco (+9.7 p.p.), Algeria (+9.5 p.p.) and Mozambique (+4.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Namibia and South Africa saw its share reduced by -3% and -4.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest recovered paper supplier in Africa, comprising 42% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Algeria ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Morocco, with a 14% share.

In South Africa, recovered paper exports expanded at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Algeria (+12.0% per year) and Morocco (+20.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 8.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate slight growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 43% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritius (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Recovered Paper Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, the amount of recovered paper imported in Africa soared to X tons, with an increase of 40% against 2021. Overall, imports recorded a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 95%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, recovered paper imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 56%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Egypt (X tons) was the key importer of recovered paper, comprising 52% of total imports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), Tunisia (X tons) and Swaziland (X tons), together constituting a 30% share of total imports. Tanzania (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and South Sudan (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Egypt increased at an average annual rate of +46.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, South Sudan (+119.4%), Swaziland (+24.4%), Ghana (+18.7%) and South Africa (+4.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Sudan emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +119.4% from 2012-2022. Tanzania experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Tunisia (-1.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Egypt, Swaziland and South Sudan increased by +49, +3.4 and +1.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported recovered paper in Africa, comprising 60% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a 9.7% share of total imports. It was followed by Tunisia, with a 6.9% share.

In Egypt, recovered paper imports increased at an average annual rate of +44.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: South Africa (+3.3% per year) and Tunisia (-0.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 8.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 29% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+13.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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