South Africa: Office Supply Market 2024

Office Supply Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African office supply market increased by 12% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a deep contraction. Office supply consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Office Supply Exports

Exports from South Africa

Office supply exports from South Africa stood at X tons in 2022, with an increase of 13% on the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 13%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, office supply exports contracted to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 41%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X tons), Botswana (X tons) and Mozambique (X tons) were the main destinations of office supply exports from South Africa, together comprising 55% of total exports. Swaziland, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Zambia and Malawi lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Kenya (with a CAGR of +18.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for office supply exported from South Africa were Namibia ($X), Botswana ($X) and Mozambique ($X), together accounting for 58% of total exports. Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Kenya, Zambia, Lesotho and Malawi lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Kenya, with a CAGR of +8.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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 office supply export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -11.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Malawi ($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 Zimbabwe (+3.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Office Supply Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of office or school supplies of plastics were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 14%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, office supply imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 18%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest office supply supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 88% share of total imports. Moreover, office supply imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China amounted to -3.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (+16.3% per year) and Germany (+2.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of office or school supplies of plastics to South Africa, comprising 79% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with a 7.2% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China totaled -5.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (+8.6% per year) and Germany (-0.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average office supply import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 2.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 16%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, 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 Germany ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (-1.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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