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

Earlier Report Observations

The market for household and sanitary paper in wide rolls and sheets in the SADC region began the period at 298 thousand tons in 2018 and grew to 307 thousand tons in 2019. This initial expansion aligned with infrastructure development at the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone in South Africa, which aimed to boost investment and improve supply chains for raw materials like cotton fibre, supporting regional production.

Market volume contracted to 266 thousand tons in 2020 but recovered sharply to 304 thousand tons in 2021. The rebound was facilitated by South Africa's industrial policy, which sought to diversify and strengthen manufacturing sectors, including textiles and related paper industries, through targeted interventions.

Growth continued, reaching 322 thousand tons in 2022 and 357 thousand tons in 2023. During these years, broader industry trends emerged, including efforts to promote reusable sanitary products and green manufacturing processes, while the rapid growth of e-commerce in South Africa began reshaping retail distribution channels.

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

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

SADC's production of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 260.8 thousand tonnes. However, in 2020, it fell to 239.4 thousand tonnes, marking an 8.2% year-on-year decrease. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 4.2%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2020 at 14 482 tonnes, which was 613.5% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 29.6%. From 2017 to 2020, the difference between the highest and lowest export volumes was 8.6 times.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export structure in kind was diversified, with no single country holding a dominant position. Rwanda accounted for 2.5% of exports in kind, Saudi Arabia for 2.1%, and Senegal for 1.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 5.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

SADC's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in value terms increased in 2020 to 16 305 thousand US dollars, a 22.6% rise compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 13 302 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 12.6%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 16.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Rwanda, Kenya, and Saudi Arabia—collectively accounted for 5.0% of the total value of SADC's exports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

SADC's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in kind declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 41 400 tonnes, a 14.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 22.2%, translating to an annualized decline of 8.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports in kind of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to SADC were widely dispersed across partner countries. China represented 20.1% of imports in kind, Indonesia 19.5%, and Tunisia 8.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 48.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

SADC's imports of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets in value terms declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 53 635 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp drop of 29.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 38.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of household and sanitary paper in wide rolls or large sheets to SADC came from a broad range of markets. China accounted for 21.1% of imports in value terms, Indonesia for 15.2%, and Turkey for 10.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 47.1% of total imports, while many smaller destinations made up the remaining 52.9%.

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

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