South Africa: Toilet Paper Market 2024

Toilet Paper Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, the South African toilet paper market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, the total consumption indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -8.3% against 2017 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Toilet Paper Production in South Africa

In value terms, toilet paper production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -7.8% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 34% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Toilet Paper Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was decline in overseas shipments of toilet paper, when their volume decreased by -1.5% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 16%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

In value terms, toilet paper exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% 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 +56.9% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) were the main destinations of toilet paper exports from South Africa, together accounting for 61% of total exports. Lesotho, Swaziland, Zambia and Mozambique lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Lesotho (with a CAGR of +14.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Botswana ($X), Namibia ($X) and Zimbabwe ($X) constituted the largest markets for toilet paper exported from South Africa worldwide, with a combined 62% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Swaziland, Zambia, Lesotho and Mozambique, which together accounted for a further 32%.

Zambia, with a CAGR of +9.3%, recorded 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

The average toilet paper export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 17% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 24% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Namibia ($X per ton) and Swaziland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($X per ton) and Botswana ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Namibia (+8.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Toilet Paper Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of toilet paper were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 123% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, toilet paper imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 134% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

France (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the UK (X tons) were the main suppliers of toilet paper imports to South Africa, together comprising 81% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by France (with a CAGR of +94.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest toilet paper suppliers to South Africa were France ($X), Germany ($X) and the UK ($X), together accounting for 88% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, France, with a CAGR of +91.1%, recorded 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

The average toilet paper import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, toilet paper import price increased by +20.1% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the average import price increased by 35%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs 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 the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United Arab Emirates (+12.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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