South Africa: Paper Bag Market 2025

Paper Bag Market Size in South Africa

After two years of decline, the South African paper bag market increased by 2.2% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Paper Bag Production in South Africa

In value terms, paper bag production expanded to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Paper Bag Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of sacks and bags of paper were exported from South Africa; increasing by 4.6% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, paper bag exports surged to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a mild decline. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Mozambique (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Swaziland (X tons) were the main destinations of paper bag exports from South Africa, with a combined 56% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Swaziland (with a CAGR of +15.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mozambique ($X), Namibia ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X) constituted the largest markets for paper bag exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 55% share of total exports. Swaziland, Botswana, Zambia, Lesotho, Angola and India lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

Swaziland, with a CAGR of +10.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of 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

In 2021, the average paper bag export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 20% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable curtailment. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Angola ($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 India (+1.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Paper Bag Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of sacks and bags of paper was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, showed a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 26%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, paper bag imports rose remarkably to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 43%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), China (X tons) and Lesotho (X tons) were the main suppliers of paper bag imports to South Africa, with a combined 71% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Austria, India, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Swaziland and Botswana, which together accounted for a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Austria (with a CAGR of +53.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), China ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) appeared to be the largest paper bag suppliers to South Africa, together accounting for 72% of total imports. These countries were followed by Lesotho, Austria, Italy, Denmark, India, Spain, Swaziland and Botswana, which together accounted for a further 15%.

Austria, with a CAGR of +51.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average paper bag import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 6.6% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, paper bag import price increased by +93.8% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the average import price increased by 28%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Lesotho (+7.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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