SADC: Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market 2025

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market Size in SADC

The SADC non-corrugated paper box market reduced to $X in 2022, which is down by -12.7% against the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a mild shrinkage. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Production in SADC

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a slight decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 27% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard, when their volume increased by 12% to X tons. Total exports indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -24.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 49%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box exports soared to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) represented the largest exporter of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard, comprising 74% of total exports. Mauritius (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 13% share, followed by Madagascar (11%).

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Madagascar (+10.5%) and Mauritius (+9.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Madagascar emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +10.5% from 2012-2022. While the share of Mauritius (+6.2 p.p.) and Madagascar (+5.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of South Africa (-12 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest non-corrugated paper box supplier in SADC, comprising 77% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritius ($X), with a 13% share of total exports.

In South Africa, non-corrugated paper box exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mauritius (+6.3% per year) and Madagascar (+6.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Madagascar ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (-0.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, the amount of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard imported in SADC rose markedly to X tons, growing by 6.8% against the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 42%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box imports totaled $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +17.1% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 34%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) represented the key importer of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard, generating 49% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Namibia (X tons), Tanzania (X tons), Angola (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons), together creating a 39% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to non-corrugated paper box imports into South Africa stood at +18.8%. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+21.3%), Zambia (+10.3%) and Mozambique (+4.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +21.3% from 2012-2022. Tanzania experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Angola (-3.0%), Zimbabwe (-3.1%) and Namibia (-5.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia increased by +34, +3.8 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard in SADC, comprising 57% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Namibia ($X), with an 8.1% share of total imports. It was followed by Tanzania, with a 5.4% share.

In South Africa, non-corrugated paper box imports expanded at an average annual rate of +17.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Namibia (-1.1% per year) and Tanzania (-0.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 4.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 18%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Zimbabwe ($X per ton), while Angola ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+5.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform