Fibreboard market in Southern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the fibreboard market volume in Southern Africa expanded consistently, reaching 527 thousand cubic metres in 2021. However, it contracted to 496 thousand cubic metres in 2022 and fell sharply to 375 thousand cubic metres in 2023. This decline coincided with a drop in domestic production, which remained steady at around 411 thousand cubic metres until 2022 but decreased to 280 thousand cubic metres in 2023.

Major investments by PG Bison to boost local MDF production capacity were a key market development. Site preparation for an expansion project began in April 2021, and construction of a new Contiroll line started in March 2023, which likely contributed to the temporary reduction in output that year. The new line was launched in 2024, increasing daily capacity to 1 180 cubic metres and aiming to secure local supply and reduce import reliance. Concurrently, growth in the residential construction sector supported demand for fibreboard in furniture and building applications.

In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, peaking at $213 million in 2022 before dropping to $153 million in 2023. Production value also varied, influenced by factors such as fluctuations in raw material costs for wood, which affected overall competitiveness.

Production fibreboard in Southern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K m³

Top producers of fibreboard, 2017-2020

World map of production of fibreboard, 2017-2020

In 2019, Southern Africa's fibreboard production reached its peak at 411.4 thousand cubic meters. The following year, in 2020, output remained broadly stable at 411.4 thousand cubic meters. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a 0.0% decrease, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 0.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2018, fibreboard production in Southern Africa reached its highest value at 162.0 million US dollars. The following year, in 2019, it dropped to its lowest point at 122.4 million US dollars, marking a substantial decline of 24.5%. By 2020, output recovered slightly to 130.1 million US dollars, representing a 6.3% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 8.4%, averaging an annual decline of 2.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 14.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports fibreboard from Southern Africa

Exports in kind, K m³

In 2018, Southern Africa's fibreboard exports peaked at 45.6 thousand cubic meters, with the largest increase that year at 3.6%. The following year, in 2019, exports saw their most significant decline of 11.6%. By 2020, exports fell to 37.0 thousand cubic meters, marking a modest 8.3% year-over-year decrease. This continued a downward trend, with exports declining for the second consecutive year. From 2017 to 2020, overall exports decreased by 16%, averaging an annual decline of 5.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe, Australia, and Zambia were the primary markets for Southern Africa's fibreboard exports in volume terms. Zimbabwe accounted for 39.6% of exports, Australia for 13.1%, and Zambia for 7.0%. Together, these three countries represented 59.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Southern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2018, Southern Africa's fibreboard export value reached its highest point at 17 987 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 18.2%. The following year, in 2019, exports experienced their most significant decline of 33.3%. By 2020, export value dropped to 11 689 thousand US dollars, a 2.5% reduction compared to the previous year. This marked the second consecutive year of decline. From 2017 to 2020, overall export value decreased by 23.2%, averaging an annual decline of 8.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Southern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Zimbabwe, Australia, and Zambia were the main destinations for Southern Africa's fibreboard exports in value terms. Zimbabwe absorbed 33.1% of exports, Australia 19.2%, and Zambia 8.5%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 60.7% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Southern Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports fibreboard to Southern Africa

Imports in kind, K m³

In 2018, Southern Africa's fibreboard imports hit their lowest point at 97.4 thousand cubic meters, with the largest decline that year at 36.1%. The following year, in 2019, imports saw their most significant increase of 30.1%. By 2020, imports rose to 135.4 thousand cubic meters, a modest 6.9% increase from the previous year. This continued an upward trend, with imports increasing for the second consecutive year. From 2017 to 2020, overall imports decreased by 11.2%, averaging an annual decline of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K m³

From 2017 to 2020, Southern Africa's fibreboard imports in volume terms were broadly distributed across multiple markets. Brazil accounted for 20.0% of imports, Germany for 12.8%, and Thailand for 11.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 43.9% of total import flows, indicating a diverse sourcing pattern.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Southern Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2018, Southern Africa's fibreboard import value was at its lowest at 38 139 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 11.5%. The following year, in 2019, imports recorded their most significant increase of 13.3%. By 2020, import value rose to 47 185 thousand US dollars, a moderate 9.2% increase from the previous year. This continued an upward trend, with imports increasing for the second consecutive year. From 2017 to 2020, overall import value increased by 9.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Southern Africa in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Southern Africa's fibreboard imports in value terms were relatively evenly spread across various markets. Germany accounted for 21.6% of imports, Brazil for 12.4%, and China for 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 43.3% of total import flows, highlighting a diversified import structure.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Southern Africa in value, 2017-2020