South Africa: Plastic Container Market 2025

Plastic Container Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in the South African plastic container market, when its value decreased by -7.5% to $X. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Plastic container consumption peaked at $X in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Plastic Container Production in South Africa

In value terms, plastic container production contracted slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 12%. Plastic container production peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Plastic Container Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of plastic containers increased by 55% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports posted a pronounced increase. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic container exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +55.5% against 2019 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X tons), Mozambique (X tons) and Botswana (X tons) were the main destinations of plastic container exports from South Africa, together comprising 67% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Mozambique (with a CAGR of +27.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for plastic container exported from South Africa were Namibia ($X), Zimbabwe ($X) and Mozambique ($X), together comprising 58% of total exports.

Mozambique, with a CAGR of +19.6%, 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 plastic container export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -1.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 44% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Botswana ($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 Lesotho (+18.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Container Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, imports of plastic containers into South Africa soared to X tons, increasing by 30% against 2020 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic container imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Italy (X tons) and the United Arab Emirates (X tons) were the main suppliers of plastic container imports to South Africa, with a combined 68% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Vietnam, Germany, Nigeria, India, Spain, the Netherlands, the United States and Swaziland, which together accounted for a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Nigeria (with a CAGR of +178.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), Italy ($X) and the United Arab Emirates ($X) were the largest plastic container suppliers to South Africa, together comprising 63% of total imports. Germany, India, Nigeria, Spain, the United States, Vietnam, the Netherlands and Swaziland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 19%.

Among the main suppliers, Nigeria, with a CAGR of +190.6%, 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

In 2021, the average plastic container import price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -3.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 25% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for Vietnam ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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