South Africa: Market for Printing and Writing Paper 2025

Market Size for Printing and Writing Paper in South Africa

In 2021, the South African printing and writing paper market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a perceptible decline. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Printing and Writing Paper in South Africa

In value terms, printing and writing paper production reached $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 40%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Printing and Writing Paper

Exports from South Africa

Printing and writing paper exports from South Africa dropped notably to X tons in 2022, falling by -31.2% on 2021 figures. Overall, exports saw a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 46%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, printing and writing paper exports contracted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a noticeable descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 52%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) were the main destinations of printing and writing paper exports from South Africa, together comprising 48% of total exports. Botswana, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Mozambique, Swaziland, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 44%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ecuador (with a CAGR of +20.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Zambia ($X), Zimbabwe ($X) and Namibia ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for printing and writing paper exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 51% share of total exports. Botswana, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Swaziland, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Ecuador and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Ecuador, with a CAGR of +11.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average printing and writing paper export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 29% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Ecuador ($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 Mozambique (+2.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Printing and Writing Paper

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, the amount of printing and writing paper imported into South Africa totaled X tons, with an increase of 13% on the previous year's figure. In general, imports, however, showed a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 29%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, printing and writing paper imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a slight decline. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), Finland (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of printing and writing paper imports to South Africa, together comprising 43% of total imports. Indonesia, Belgium, South Korea, Brazil, Austria, Italy, India, Norway, Portugal and Singapore lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Portugal (with a CAGR of +78.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), China ($X) and Finland ($X) were the largest printing and writing paper suppliers to South Africa, together accounting for 45% of total imports. Indonesia, South Korea, Belgium, Austria, Brazil, Italy, India, Portugal, Norway and Singapore lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 43%.

Among the main suppliers, Portugal, with a CAGR of +73.2%, 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

In 2022, the average printing and writing paper import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 27% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. 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 Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Singapore ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+3.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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