South Africa: Stationery Market 2025

Stationery Market Size in South Africa

The South African stationery market dropped to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -6.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption showed a noticeable downturn. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Stationery Production in South Africa

In value terms, stationery production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Stationery Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of articles of stationery increased by 21% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 25% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, stationery exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, saw a noticeable decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 44% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X tons), Swaziland (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) were the main destinations of stationery exports from South Africa, with a combined 53% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Mozambique (with a CAGR of +4.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, the largest markets for stationery exported from South Africa were Namibia ($X), Swaziland ($X) and Botswana ($X), together comprising 53% of total exports. Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Lesotho and Malawi lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Mozambique, with a CAGR of +5.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average stationery export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 2% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, stationery export price increased by +26.0% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Zimbabwe ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Malawi ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Zimbabwe (+7.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Stationery Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of articles of stationery increased by 44% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, imports, however, saw a mild contraction. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, stationery imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible setback. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest stationery supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 83% share of total imports. Moreover, stationery imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Indonesia (X tons), tenfold. India (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Indonesia (+0.7% per year) and India (-5.1% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of articles of stationery to South Africa, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Indonesia ($X), with a 6.4% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with a 4.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from China stood at -1.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Indonesia (-0.3% per year) and India (-4.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average stationery import price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -13% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 8.4% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the highest price was recorded for prices from China ($X per ton) and Thailand ($X per ton), while the price for Indonesia ($X per ton) and India ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+1.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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