SADC: Plastic Container Market 2024

Plastic Container Market Size in SADC

The SADC plastic container market was estimated at $X in 2021, remaining constant against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Plastic Container Production in SADC

In value terms, plastic container production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Plastic Container Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, shipments abroad of plastic containers increased by 46% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +79.4% against 2019 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic container exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

South Africa prevails in exports structure, recording X tons, which was near 88% of total exports in 2021. Mauritius (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to plastic container exports from South Africa stood at +4.2%. At the same time, Zimbabwe (+52.8%), Mauritius (+49.8%) and Tanzania (+3.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +52.8% from 2012-2021. Mauritius (+4.3 p.p.) and Zimbabwe (+3.3 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -3% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest plastic container supplier in SADC, comprising 81% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritius ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Zimbabwe, with a 3.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa totaled +3.3%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mauritius (+45.0% per year) and Zimbabwe (+39.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -4.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 40% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (-0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Plastic Container Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, overseas purchases of plastic containers increased by 50% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Total imports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +57.8% against 2019 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic container imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Namibia (X tons), Mozambique (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Botswana (X tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) was the key importer of plastic containers in SADC, committing 82% of total import.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +28.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Mozambique ($X) and Namibia ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 50% share of total imports.

Mozambique, with a CAGR of +21.8%, recorded 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 SADC amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -10.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 6.1%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, 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 South Africa (-0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform