South Africa: Fiberboard Market 2024

Fiberboard Market Size in South Africa

After three years of growth, the South African fiberboard market decreased by -16.4% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

Fiberboard Exports

Exports from South Africa

For the third consecutive year, South Africa recorded growth in shipments abroad of fiber board of wood or other ligneous materials, which increased by 5.3% to X cubic meters in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X cubic meters in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fiberboard exports rose significantly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 52%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X cubic meters) was the main destination for fiberboard exports from South Africa, with a 60% share of total exports. Moreover, fiberboard exports to Zimbabwe exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Namibia (X cubic meters), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Botswana (X cubic meters), with a 7.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Zimbabwe amounted to +6.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (-6.6% per year) and Botswana (+2.2% per year).

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X) remains the key foreign market for fiber board of wood or other ligneous materials exports from South Africa, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Namibia ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Zambia, with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Zimbabwe amounted to +7.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (-5.7% per year) and Zambia (+8.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average fiberboard export price amounted to $X per cubic meter, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per cubic meter in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Kenya (+5.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Fiberboard Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of fiber board of wood or other ligneous materials, when their volume decreased by -13.1% to X cubic meters. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 24%. Imports peaked at X cubic meters in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, fiberboard imports declined to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X cubic meters) constituted the largest fiberboard supplier to South Africa, with a 29% share of total imports. Moreover, fiberboard imports from Brazil exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Thailand (X cubic meters), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Spain (X cubic meters), with an 8.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from Brazil was relatively modest. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Thailand (+5.7% per year) and Spain (+57.3% per year).

In value terms, the largest fiberboard suppliers to South Africa were Brazil ($X), Germany ($X) and Thailand ($X), together comprising 44% of total imports. China, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Latvia, Malaysia, Malawi and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

Hungary, with a CAGR of +80.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average fiberboard import price stood at $X per cubic meter in 2022, growing by 5.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 15%. The import price peaked at $X per cubic meter in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, import prices remained at a 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 Belgium ($X per cubic meter), while the price for Brazil ($X per cubic meter) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+4.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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