South Africa: Market for Uncoated Mechanical Printing and Writing Papers 2025

Market Size for Uncoated Mechanical Printing and Writing Papers in South Africa

The South African market for uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers surged to $X in 2021, growing by 84% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, recorded a abrupt curtailment. Consumption of peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Uncoated Mechanical Printing and Writing Papers

Exports from South Africa

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers increased by 1.3% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 42%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, exports of uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -39.1% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 37%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Botswana (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Zambia (X tons) were the main destinations of exports of uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers from South Africa, together comprising 86% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Namibia (with a CAGR of +24.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers exported from South Africa were Botswana ($X), Namibia ($X) and Zambia ($X), with a combined 81% share of total exports.

Namibia, with a CAGR of +24.3%, 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

In 2021, the average export price for uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 21% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($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 (+19.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Uncoated Mechanical Printing and Writing Papers

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, approx. X tons of uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers were imported into South Africa; rising by 64% against the year before. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt decrease. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, imports of uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a abrupt downturn. Over the period under review, imports of reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Finland (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) were the main suppliers of imports of uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers to South Africa, together comprising 74% of total imports. Austria, India, Belgium, Indonesia, China and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

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 +28.0%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers suppliers to South Africa were Finland ($X), Germany ($X) and Sweden ($X), together comprising 73% of total imports. These countries were followed by Austria, India, Belgium, Indonesia, China and the Netherlands, which together accounted for a further 23%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Austria, with a CAGR of +27.0%, 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

The average import price for uncoated mechanical printing and writing papers stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -4.8% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average import price increased by 16% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+2.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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