South Africa: Corrugated Paper Box Market 2024

Corrugated Paper Box Market Size in South Africa

The South African corrugated paper box market fell to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -1.9% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Corrugated paper box consumption peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Corrugated Paper Box Production in South Africa

In value terms, corrugated paper box production declined modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Corrugated Paper Box Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard increased by 16% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, corrugated paper box exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Mozambique (X tons), Swaziland (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) were the main destinations of corrugated paper box exports from South Africa, with a combined 68% 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 Swaziland (with a CAGR of +21.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for corrugated paper box exported from South Africa were Mozambique ($X), Zimbabwe ($X) and Swaziland ($X), together comprising 60% of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Swaziland, with a CAGR of +15.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average corrugated paper box export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Swaziland ($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 India (+1.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Corrugated Paper Box Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of cartons, boxes and cases of corrugated paper or paperboard increased by 10% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, imports, however, faced a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 15%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, corrugated paper box imports rose remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 42% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Lesotho (X tons) and the United States (X tons) were the main suppliers of corrugated paper box imports to South Africa, with a combined 76% share of total imports. Vietnam, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Swaziland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 16%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +43.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest corrugated paper box suppliers to South Africa were China ($X), Lesotho ($X) and the United States ($X), with a combined 65% share of total imports. Germany, Vietnam, Hong Kong SAR, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Swaziland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 24%.

Among the main suppliers, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +37.6%, 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 corrugated paper box import price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -2.2% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its price 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, corrugated paper box import price increased by +93.5% against 2013 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 57%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lesotho (+7.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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