ECOWAS: Market for Printing and Writing Paper 2025

Market Size for Printing and Writing Paper in ECOWAS

For the sixth year in a row, the ECOWAS printing and writing paper market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 23% to $X in 2021. The total consumption indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% 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 +65.7% against 2015 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Printing and Writing Paper in ECOWAS

In value terms, printing and writing paper production surged to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a sharp reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 12,730,600% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Printing and Writing Paper

Exports in ECOWAS

In 2022, shipments abroad of printing and writing paper decreased by -15.4% to X tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 70% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, printing and writing paper exports declined rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 48%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Ghana prevails in exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 86% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Sierra Leone (X tons), making up a 4.9% share of total exports. The following exporters - Nigeria (X tons), Togo (X tons) and Senegal (X tons) - together made up 7.3% of total exports.

Ghana was also the fastest-growing in terms of the printing and writing paper exports, with a CAGR of +11.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Sierra Leone (+3.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Togo (-3.7%), Nigeria (-8.0%) and Senegal (-9.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Ghana (+55 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Senegal and Nigeria saw its share reduced by -3% and -4.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) remains the largest printing and writing paper supplier in ECOWAS, comprising 78% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Sierra Leone ($X), with an 8.6% share of total exports. It was followed by Nigeria, with a 5.3% share.

In Ghana, printing and writing paper exports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Sierra Leone (+4.0% per year) and Nigeria (-10.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in ECOWAS stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a pronounced contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 11% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Togo (+1.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Printing and Writing Paper

Imports in ECOWAS

In 2022, overseas purchases of printing and writing paper increased by 37% to X tons, rising for the sixth year in a row after three years of decline. Overall, imports saw a resilient increase. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, printing and writing paper imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a resilient expansion. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Nigeria prevails in imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 82% of total imports in 2022. Ghana (X tons) took a 7.4% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Cote d'Ivoire (5%).

Nigeria was also the fastest-growing in terms of the printing and writing paper imports, with a CAGR of +9.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Cote d'Ivoire (+7.9%) and Ghana (+5.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of Nigeria (+9 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Ghana (-2.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported printing and writing paper in ECOWAS, comprising 86% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Ghana ($X), with a 5.5% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Nigeria amounted to +11.1%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Ghana (+2.9% per year) and Cote d'Ivoire (+5.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in ECOWAS amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 16% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Ghana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+1.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform