Africa: Waste Cork Market 2025

Waste Cork Market Size in Africa

After two years of growth, the African waste cork market decreased by -3.7% to $X in 2021. The total consumption indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% 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 +44.3% against 2018 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Waste Cork Production in Africa

In value terms, waste cork production reduced modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% 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 +43.0% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 36%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Waste Cork Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, waste cork exports in Africa rose to X tons, increasing by 4.2% against 2020. In general, exports, however, showed a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 26% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, waste cork exports reached $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 103%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Algeria (X tons) and Morocco (X tons) represented roughly 81% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Tunisia (X tons), creating a 19% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Algeria (with a CAGR of +9.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline in the exports figures.

In value terms, Algeria ($X), Morocco ($X) and Tunisia ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 99.9% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Algeria, with a CAGR of +17.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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, surging by 3.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 62%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per ton), while Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tunisia (+7.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Waste Cork Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, supplies from abroad of waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork increased by 23% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. In general, imports enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 337%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, waste cork imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 154% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo represented the main importer of waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork in Africa, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was near 55% of total imports in 2021. Morocco (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Djibouti (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 27% share of total imports. The following importers - Tunisia (X tons), Angola (X tons), Gambia (X tons) and Nigeria (X tons) - together made up 12% of total imports.

Democratic Republic of the Congo was also the fastest-growing in terms of the waste cork, crushed, granulated or ground cork imports, with a CAGR of +118.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Tunisia (+75.8%), Gambia (+31.8%), Morocco (+16.6%) and Angola (+10.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Djibouti experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Nigeria (-8.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Democratic Republic of the Congo (+55 p.p.), Djibouti (+7.5 p.p.), Morocco (+4.7 p.p.), Tunisia (+4 p.p.) and Gambia (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Nigeria (-10.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest waste cork importing markets in Africa were Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), Morocco ($X) and Djibouti ($X), with a combined 60% share of total imports. Angola, Tunisia, Gambia and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Gambia, with a CAGR of +65.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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, with a decrease of -1.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a noticeable slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 74%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Angola ($X per ton), while Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Gambia (+25.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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