South Africa: Filter Paper Market 2025

Filter Paper Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, the South African filter paper market increased by 3.6% to $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, the total consumption indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Filter paper consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Filter Paper Production in South Africa

In value terms, filter paper production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production posted slight growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 66% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Filter Paper Exports

Exports from South Africa

Filter paper exports from South Africa skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, jumping by 29% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, exports, however, saw a abrupt contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 50%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, filter paper exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a deep setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 49% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons) was the main destination for filter paper exports from South Africa, with a 57% share of total exports. Moreover, filter paper exports to Zimbabwe exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Namibia (X tons), sevenfold. Botswana (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 7.5% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Zimbabwe stood at +6.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (+17.3% per year) and Botswana (-14.9% per year).

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X) remains the key foreign market for filter paper and paperboard cut to shape exports from South Africa, comprising 49% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Namibia ($X), with an 8.9% share of total exports. It was followed by Swaziland, with a 6.8% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Zimbabwe stood at +6.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (+16.5% per year) and Swaziland (-21.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average filter paper export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 6.6% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Swaziland (+9.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Filter Paper Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, filter paper imports into South Africa totaled X tons, increasing by 12% on the year before. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 47% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, filter paper imports rose notably to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when imports increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), Italy (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the main suppliers of filter paper imports to South Africa, with a combined 89% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Italy (with a CAGR of +33.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of filter paper and paperboard cut to shape to South Africa, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with a 20% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Germany amounted to +2.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+5.6% per year) and Italy (+29.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average filter paper import price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -1.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a perceptible shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 19% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+21.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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