Paper and paperboard waste market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Egypt's market for paper and paperboard waste saw a substantial expansion, driven by evolving domestic dynamics. The entry of new recycling startups and a Cairo-based collection initiative in 2018 began strengthening the supply chain for recovered paper. This was followed by continued state support for recycling infrastructure. The most significant surge occurred in 2020, when the market volume jumped by nearly 50% to over 603 thousand tonnes. This growth was primarily fueled by increasing consumer demand for flexible and eco-friendly paper packaging, which raised the need for recycled paper raw materials, and by concurrent efforts to develop local paper production, boosting demand for waste feedstock.

Market volume subsequently became more volatile, closely tied to import flows which reacted to policy shifts. A sharp contraction in 2021, with volume falling to 440 thousand tonnes, followed the implementation of dual registration mechanisms for imported paper and board, designed to enforce standards and protect local industry, which constrained inbound shipments. The market rebounded in 2022, aided by the marketing and trade integration push from the Middle East International Exhibition for paper and cardboard and by a state-led move to restrict single-use plastic bags, favoring paper-based alternatives and supporting demand. Another decline in 2023 coincided with a major expansion of domestic recycling capacity, as the number of processing plants increased and Cairo's waste recycling rate reached approximately 80%, reducing reliance on imported waste.

Into 2024, the momentum behind domestic recycling and sustainable packaging continued, underscored by another major industry exhibition under government patronage. This ongoing focus on building local processing infrastructure and promoting exports of recycled products supported the market's structural shift toward greater self-sufficiency, with import volumes continuing their downward trend from the previous year.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

World map of production of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

In 2020, Egypt produced 380.0 K t of paper and paperboard waste, showing only minor year-over-year fluctuations. The largest decline and increase both occurred in 2018, each at 0.0%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Egypt

Exports in kind, K t

The export market displayed significant volatility during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 7.6-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Egypt's paper and paperboard waste shipments abroad totaled 0.0 K t, representing an 85.9% decrease compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt's export structure in kind was dominated by Jordan and Sudan, which together accounted for 97.2% of total flows, while other markets represented a much smaller share.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed considerable volatility throughout these years. They reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 6.3-fold variation between these extremes. In 2020, Egypt exported 3 K $ US worth of paper and paperboard waste, marking a dramatic 84.1% decline from 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sudan and Jordan were the primary destinations for Egypt's exports in value terms, jointly representing 97.8% of total flows, with the remaining share distributed among other markets.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Egypt

Imports in kind, K t

Egypt's paper and paperboard waste imports grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 223.1 K t, an 807.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 3 721.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 236.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States remained the dominant source for Egypt's imports in kind, accounting for 89.6% of total flows, while other markets represented a fragmented remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Egypt's paper and paperboard waste imports continued to grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 31 687 K $ US, reflecting a 644.6% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, import values rose by 2 381.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 191.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, the United States was the principal market for paper and paperboard waste imports to Egypt, representing 87.9% of total imports in value terms, while other destinations accounted for a less significant portion.

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

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