South Africa: Market for Coated Printing and Writing Papers 2025

Market Size for Coated Printing and Writing Papers in South Africa

The South African market for coated printing and writing papers surged to $X in 2021, increasing by 21% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a abrupt curtailment. Coated printing and writing paper consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Production of Coated Printing and Writing Papers in South Africa

In value terms, coated printing and writing paper production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a perceptible decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 16%. Coated printing and writing paper production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Coated Printing and Writing Papers

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of coated printing and writing papers increased by 2% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 82% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, coated printing and writing paper exports reached $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 30%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Namibia (X tons) were the main destinations of coated printing and writing paper exports from South Africa, together accounting for 75% of total exports. These countries were followed by Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland and Kenya, which together accounted for a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Malawi (with a CAGR of +22.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for coated printing and writing paper exported from South Africa were Namibia ($X), Zambia ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X), with a combined 69% share of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Zambia, with a CAGR of +18.6%, 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 export price for coated printing and writing papers amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zimbabwe ($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 Kenya (+17.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Imports of Coated Printing and Writing Papers

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, coated printing and writing paper imports into South Africa surged to X tons, growing by 19% on 2020 figures. Overall, imports, however, recorded a abrupt setback. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, coated printing and writing paper imports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a drastic downturn. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Finland (X tons) constituted the largest coated printing and writing paper supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 25% share of total imports. Moreover, coated printing and writing paper imports from Finland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), twofold. South Korea (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Finland stood at -1.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (-6.9% per year) and South Korea (-12.1% per year).

In value terms, the largest coated printing and writing paper suppliers to South Africa were Finland ($X), Germany ($X) and China ($X), together comprising 49% of total imports. South Korea, Brazil, Austria, Italy, Indonesia, Sweden and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

Brazil, with a CAGR of +16.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for coated printing and writing papers stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 4.9% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, showed a slight descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 8.3% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Indonesia (+3.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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