South Africa: Printing Ink Market 2025

Printing Ink Market Size in South Africa

The South African printing ink market expanded significantly to $X in 2022, growing by 5.1% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the market value increased by 8.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Printing Ink Production in South Africa

In value terms, printing ink production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a perceptible shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Printing ink production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Printing Ink Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of printing ink increased by 0.5% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a noticeable contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, printing ink exports rose notably to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a noticeable curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 42% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Mauritius (X tons), Zambia (X tons) and Malawi (X tons) were the main destinations of printing ink exports from South Africa, with a combined 31% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Mauritius (with a CAGR of +38.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for printing ink exported from South Africa were Botswana ($X), Mauritius ($X) and the United States ($X), together comprising 24% of total exports. Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Swaziland, Malawi, Turkey, Angola, Lesotho and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +28.2%, saw 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 printing ink export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 10% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a mild downturn. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy ($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 (+4.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Printing Ink Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, supplies from abroad of printing ink increased by 6.6% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a noticeable decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, printing ink imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Germany (X tons) and India (X tons) were the main suppliers of printing ink imports to South Africa, together accounting for 65% of total imports. Sweden, the UK, Switzerland, Japan, China, France, Turkey, Taiwan (Chinese), the United States and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +47.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Switzerland ($X), Japan ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest printing ink suppliers to South Africa, together accounting for 56% of total imports. Germany, the UK, India, the United States, Sweden, Taiwan (Chinese), France, China, Turkey and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Turkey, with a CAGR of +36.3%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 ink import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 6.3% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 32%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the price for Turkey ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+4.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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