South Africa: Natural Cork Market 2025

Natural Cork Market Size in South Africa

The South African natural cork market dropped to $X in 2021, waning by -14.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption continues to indicate a abrupt descent. Natural cork consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Natural Cork Production in South Africa

In value terms, natural cork production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 25%. Natural cork production peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Natural Cork Exports

Exports from South Africa

For the third year in a row, South Africa recorded decline in overseas shipments of natural cork debacked or roughly squared, which decreased by -28.5% to X kg in 2021. Overall, exports saw a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 667%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, natural cork exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 412%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Angola (X kg) was the main destination for natural cork exports from South Africa, with a 51% share of total exports. Moreover, natural cork exports to Angola exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the UK (X kg), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Namibia (X kg), with a 17% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Angola totaled +29.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the UK (+2,120.0% per year) and Namibia (+1.1% per year).

In value terms, Namibia ($X), Angola ($X) and Sierra Leone ($X) were the largest markets for natural cork exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 69% share of total exports. These countries were followed by the UK, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Botswana, which together accounted for a further 8.1%.

Among the main countries of destination, the UK, with a CAGR of +4,475.0%, 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

In 2021, the average natural cork export price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 100% against the previous year. Overall, the export price enjoyed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 204% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Sierra Leone ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the UK ($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 the UK (+112.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Natural Cork Imports

Imports into South Africa

Natural cork imports into South Africa reduced remarkably to X tons in 2021, with a decrease of -86.8% compared with 2020 figures. Overall, imports recorded a dramatic decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 574% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, natural cork imports dropped significantly to $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a significant decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 251% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Portugal (X tons) was the main supplier of natural cork to South Africa, with a 96% share of total imports. It was followed by China (X kg), with a 3% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Portugal amounted to -36.2%.

In value terms, Portugal ($X) constituted the largest supplier of natural cork debacked or roughly squared to South Africa, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($X), with a 6.9% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Portugal totaled -41.4%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average natural cork import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 9.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average import price increased by 227%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Portugal totaled $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (-1.9%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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