Africa: Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Market 2024

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Market Size in Africa

The African unbleached sulphate pulp market reduced modestly to $X in 2022, which is down by -1.7% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a noticeable reduction. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Production in Africa

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 62% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, unbleached sulphate pulp exports in Africa reduced markedly to X tons, shrinking by -94.1% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, exports recorded a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 360% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp exports declined significantly to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 714% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X tons) was the main exporter of unbleached sulphate pulp, comprising 79% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Kenya (X tons), generating a 17% share of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of unbleached sulphate pulp. At the same time, Kenya (+14.2%) and Tanzania (+11.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Kenya emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +14.2% from 2012-2022. While the share of South Africa (+46 p.p.), Kenya (+15 p.p.) and Tanzania (+3.6 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest unbleached sulphate pulp supplying countries in Africa were South Africa ($X), Kenya ($X) and Tanzania ($X), together comprising 99.9% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Kenya, with a CAGR of +11.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -34.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 77% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (-2.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Unbleached Sulphate Pulp Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of unbleached sulphate pulp were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Total imports indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 78%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, unbleached sulphate pulp imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a strong increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 94%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Nigeria (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) dominates imports structure, together committing 76% of total imports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), making up an 8.3% share of total imports. Algeria (X tons), Ethiopia (X tons), Namibia (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for South Africa (with a CAGR of +48.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported unbleached sulphate pulp in Africa, comprising 65% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tunisia ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by South Africa, with a 7.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Nigeria amounted to +23.2%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tunisia (-3.3% per year) and South Africa (+52.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, growing by 24% against the previous year. Import price indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, unbleached sulphate pulp import price increased by +48.6% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the import price increased by 30%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Nigeria ($X per ton), while Tunisia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+6.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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