Household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls and sheets experienced significant growth, increasing from 470.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 601.3 thousand tons in 2023. This expansion was marked by a notable surge in 2021, when market volume rose by 11% to 543.1 thousand tons, followed by a temporary contraction in 2022 before reaching a new peak the following year.

Domestic production strengthened consistently after 2020, rising from 482.4 thousand tons to 562.0 thousand tons in 2023. Year-to-year market movements were significantly influenced by volatile trade flows, with import volumes ranging from 97.7 to 145.3 thousand tons and exports fluctuating between 89.8 and 146.4 thousand tons throughout the period.

The market's recovery in 2023 to over 600 thousand tons was underpinned by the highest recorded production level and a substantial increase in imports, highlighting the sector's overall expansion across the continent.

Production household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

World map of production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets, 2017-2020

Africa's production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output reached 482.4 K t, marking a 2.9% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 12.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 496.8 K t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 with a 14.1% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

For the second year in a row, Africa's production value of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 605.0 M $ US, reflecting a 12.0% year-on-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 6.5%, averaging an annual decline of 2.2%. The peak value was observed in 2018 at 765.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 18.2% that year.

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

Exports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume totaled 119.5 K t, a 7.1% drop compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 35.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 132.1 K t, which also experienced the largest increase of 49.4% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the export destinations for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from Africa were highly diversified. The United Kingdom accounted for 22.1% of exports in kind, Saudi Arabia for 11.5%, and Lebanon for 5.6%, together making up just 39.2% of total flows. The remaining 60.8% was distributed among a wide range of other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

For the second year running, the value of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets exported from Africa declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 149.9 M $ US, showing a significant decrease of 15.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 12%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 207.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 54.8% that year.

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

In value terms, Africa's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from 2017 to 2020 were spread across many destinations. The United Kingdom represented 22.6% of exports in value, Saudi Arabia 12.0%, and Lebanon 5.9%, collectively accounting for only 40.5% of total flows. The remaining 59.5% was shared among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Africa's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets increased. In 2020, imports reached 125.4 K t, a strong rise of 18.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 106.0 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 7.3% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The sources of Africa's imports in kind for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets from 2017 to 2020 were diverse. Indonesia contributed 15.4% of imports in kind, China 11.4%, and Italy 5.8%, together making up just 32.6% of total flows. The remaining 67.4% came from a variety of other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Africa imported household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets valued at 194.1 M $ US, a slight decrease of 0.9% from the previous year. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 193.9 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 195.7 M $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 1.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, China, and Turkey played significant but not dominant roles as suppliers of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to Africa. Indonesia accounted for 13.3% of imports in value terms, China for 12.8%, and Turkey for 6.8%, with their combined share reaching only 32.9% of total import value.

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

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