South Africa: Bleached Sulphite Pulp Market 2025

Bleached Sulphite Pulp Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African bleached sulphite pulp market increased by 40% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after four years of decline. In general, consumption, however, faced a abrupt contraction. Bleached sulphite pulp consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Bleached Sulphite Pulp Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, approx. X tons of bleached sulphite pulp were exported from South Africa; increasing by 594% on the previous year. In general, exports, however, showed a pronounced shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 2,398%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, bleached sulphite pulp exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports posted perceptible growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 1,087%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X tons) was the main destination for bleached sulphite pulp exports from South Africa, accounting for a 63% share of total exports. Moreover, bleached sulphite pulp exports to Namibia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Malawi (X tons), twofold. Swaziland (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 7.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Namibia amounted to +112.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malawi (+61.7% per year) and Swaziland (+40.6% per year).

In value terms, Namibia ($X) remains the key foreign market for bleached sulphite pulp exports from South Africa, comprising 78% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malawi ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Angola, with a 2.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Namibia totaled +131.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malawi (+72.2% per year) and Angola (-29.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average bleached sulphite pulp export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -20.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, enjoyed prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 2,151%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Angola ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Swaziland ($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 Tanzania (+65.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Bleached Sulphite Pulp Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, supplies from abroad of bleached sulphite pulp increased by 23% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after four years of decline. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 118%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, bleached sulphite pulp imports soared to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 99% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the United States (X tons) constituted the largest bleached sulphite pulp supplier to South Africa, with a 72% share of total imports. Moreover, bleached sulphite pulp imports from the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from the United States totaled -7.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-8.5% per year) and Uruguay (+15.2% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($X), Germany ($X) and Uruguay ($X) were the largest bleached sulphite pulp suppliers to South Africa, together accounting for 99.9% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Uruguay, with a CAGR of +25.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Import Prices by Country

The average bleached sulphite pulp import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 20% against the previous year. Overall, the import price enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 52% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

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 Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Uruguay ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Uruguay (+8.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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