South Africa: Market for Aluminium Casks, Drums, Cans, Boxes and Similar Containers 2025

Market Size for Aluminium Casks, Drums, Cans, Boxes and Similar Containers in South Africa

The South African market for aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers declined modestly to $X in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. In general, the total consumption indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +2.5% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Aluminium Casks, Drums, Cans, Boxes and Similar Containers in South Africa

In value terms, production of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +2.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 48%. Over the period under review, production of reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Aluminium Casks, Drums, Cans, Boxes and Similar Containers

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, approx. X units of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers were exported from South Africa; reducing by -11.1% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, posted a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 162%. The exports peaked at X units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, exports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers declined sharply to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 148% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then fell notably in the following year.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X units) was the main destination for exports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers from South Africa, with a 44% share of total exports. Moreover, exports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers to Namibia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Mozambique (X units), threefold. Zimbabwe (X units) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Namibia totaled +12.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mozambique (+72.5% per year) and Zimbabwe (+70.7% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for aluminium cask, drum, can, box and similar container exported from South Africa were Zambia ($X), Mozambique ($X) and Namibia ($X), together comprising 61% of total exports. Zimbabwe, Botswana and Argentina lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

Argentina, with a CAGR of +362.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers stood at $X per unit in 2022, which is down by -28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 110%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Namibia (less than $X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Argentina (+13.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports of Aluminium Casks, Drums, Cans, Boxes and Similar Containers

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, the amount of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers imported into South Africa fell slightly to X units, almost unchanged from 2021. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a resilient increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 180% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X units. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports of remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, imports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers rose remarkably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, enjoyed a temperate expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 159%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports of failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Thailand (X units) constituted the largest aluminium cask, drum, can, box and similar container supplier to South Africa, with a 37% share of total imports. Moreover, imports of aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers from Thailand exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, India (X units), twofold. The UK (X units) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Thailand was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: India (+61.0% per year) and the UK (+25.5% per year).

In value terms, the largest aluminium cask, drum, can, box and similar container suppliers to South Africa were Thailand ($X), India ($X) and the UK ($X), together accounting for 67% of total imports. The Czech Republic, Nigeria, China and the United Arab Emirates lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

Among the main suppliers, the Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +178.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 2022, the average import price for aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers amounted to $X per unit, with an increase of 5.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 12%. The import price peaked at $X per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per unit), while the price for the United Arab Emirates ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+10.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform