South Africa: Mechanical Wood Pulp Market 2025

Mechanical Wood Pulp Market Size in South Africa

The South African mechanical wood pulp market fell to $X in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Production in South Africa

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp production reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a slight decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Exports

Exports from South Africa

Mechanical wood pulp exports from South Africa fell significantly to X kg in 2022, with a decrease of -99.3% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports recorded a precipitous decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 25,100%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp exports declined remarkably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a dramatic slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 29,784% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X kg) was the main destination for mechanical wood pulp exports from South Africa, with a 93% share of total exports. Moreover, mechanical wood pulp exports to Namibia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Swaziland (X kg), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Namibia stood at -37.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Swaziland (+14.9% per year) and the UK (0.0% per year).

In value terms, Namibia ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for mechanical wood pulp exports from South Africa, comprising 89% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Swaziland ($X), with an 11% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Namibia totaled -34.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Swaziland (+14.9% per year) and the UK (0.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average mechanical wood pulp export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, shrinking by -17.4% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 1,687%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Swaziland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the UK ($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 Namibia (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Mechanical Wood Pulp Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, the amount of mechanical wood pulp imported into South Africa reduced modestly to X tons, dropping by -1.9% against the year before. Overall, imports, however, saw significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 25,915%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

In value terms, mechanical wood pulp imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed significant growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 39,791% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Norway (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Finland (X kg) were the main suppliers of mechanical wood pulp imports to South Africa, with a combined 99% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Norway (with a CAGR of +70.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Norway ($X), Spain ($X) and Finland ($X) constituted the largest mechanical wood pulp suppliers to South Africa, together accounting for 97% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Norway, with a CAGR of +76.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average mechanical wood pulp import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, jumping by 18% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 53% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+4.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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