South Africa: Packaging Materials Market 2025

Packaging Materials Market Size in South Africa

The South African packaging materials market reached $X in 2022, picking up by 5.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a mild downturn. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Packaging Materials Production in South Africa

In value terms, packaging materials production declined slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 8.4%. Packaging materials production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Packaging Materials Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, packaging materials exports from South Africa contracted markedly to X tons, which is down by -15.7% on the previous year. In general, exports saw a pronounced contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, packaging materials exports expanded significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a pronounced curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 14%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the main destinations of packaging materials exports from South Africa, together comprising 43% of total exports. New Zealand, Namibia, Spain, Chile, Angola, the UK, Kenya, Mozambique, Botswana and Argentina lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Chile (with a CAGR of +31.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X) remains the key foreign market for packaging materials exports from South Africa, comprising 26% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Italy, with a 5.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Zimbabwe stood at +9.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+10.1% per year) and Italy (-6.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average packaging materials export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 25% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level 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 Botswana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Kenya ($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 Botswana (+5.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Packaging Materials Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, packaging materials imports into South Africa rose sharply to X tons, growing by 14% compared with the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, packaging materials imports surged to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Finland (X tons), China (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) were the main suppliers of packaging materials imports to South Africa, with a combined 30% share of total imports. Australia, the United States, Germany, Austria, South Korea, Sweden, India, Swaziland, the Netherlands and Pakistan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 45%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Swaziland (with a CAGR of +102.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest packaging materials suppliers to South Africa were China ($X), Finland ($X) and Brazil ($X), together accounting for 28% of total imports. Germany, Pakistan, the United States, Austria, India, Australia, Sweden, Swaziland, the Netherlands and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 44%.

Among the main suppliers, Swaziland, with a CAGR of +97.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average packaging materials import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Pakistan ($X per ton), while the price for South Korea ($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 (+4.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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