South Africa: Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market 2025

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Market Size in South Africa

The South African non-corrugated paper box market expanded slightly to $X in 2022, picking up by 2% against the previous year. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Production in South Africa

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box production expanded modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 38%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Exports

Exports from South Africa

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard increased by 11% to X tons in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -34.3% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) were the main destinations of non-corrugated paper box exports from South Africa, with a combined 60% 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 Zambia (with a CAGR of +19.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Zambia ($X), Namibia ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X) were the largest markets for non-corrugated paper box exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 60% share of total exports.

Zambia, with a CAGR of +21.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average non-corrugated paper box export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, rising by 11% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 43%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Madagascar ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zimbabwe ($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 Mozambique (+12.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Non-Corrugated Paper Box Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of folding cartons, boxes and cases of non-corrugated paper or paperboard increased by 36% to X tons, rising for the fifth year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, imports posted prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 74% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, non-corrugated paper box imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 94%. Imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Austria (X tons) were the main suppliers of non-corrugated paper box imports to South Africa, with a combined 84% share of total imports. China, India and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 9.7%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +160.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Austria ($X) were the largest non-corrugated paper box suppliers to South Africa, with a combined 82% share of total imports. China, India and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 9.2%.

Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +140.8%, 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

In 2022, the average non-corrugated paper box import price amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -7.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a slight decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the average import price increased by 13% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood 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 Germany ($X per ton) and Saudi Arabia ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($X per ton) and China ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+3.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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