Uganda: Market for Printing and Writing Paper 2025

Market Size for Printing and Writing Paper in Uganda

In 2021, the Ugandan printing and writing paper market decreased by -41.6% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, consumption continues to indicate a perceptible shrinkage. Printing and writing paper consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Printing and Writing Paper

Exports from Uganda

In 2022, overseas shipments of printing and writing paper were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 269% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper exports soared to $X in 2022. In general, exports posted temperate growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 227%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), South Sudan (X tons) and Rwanda (X tons) were the main destinations of printing and writing paper exports from Uganda, together accounting for 97% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by South Sudan (with a CAGR of +45.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest markets for printing and writing paper exported from Uganda were Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), South Sudan ($X) and Sudan ($X), with a combined 96% share of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, South Sudan, with a CAGR of +35.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average printing and writing paper export price amounted to $X per ton, almost unchanged from the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 48%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Sudan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Kenya ($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 Sudan (+11.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Printing and Writing Paper

Imports into Uganda

In 2022, overseas purchases of printing and writing paper were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 71% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, printing and writing paper imports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a mild reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 98% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

India (X tons), South Africa (X tons) and Indonesia (X tons) were the main suppliers of printing and writing paper imports to Uganda, together accounting for 59% of total imports. China, Slovenia, the United States, Thailand, Austria, Russia and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovenia (with a CAGR of +110.9%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, India ($X), South Africa ($X) and Indonesia ($X) constituted the largest printing and writing paper suppliers to Uganda, with a combined 53% share of total imports. China, Thailand, Slovenia, the United States, Austria, Russia and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Slovenia, with a CAGR of +123.9%, 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 more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average printing and writing paper import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 3.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 15%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Slovenia (+6.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform