Paper and paperboard waste market in Tunisia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for paper and paperboard waste in Tunisia experienced notable shifts from 2018 to 2020. A dynamic printed paper and cardboard sector, which recorded a trade surplus, stimulated higher imports in 2019, lifting the market to 107 819 t. This expansion was followed by a sharp contraction to 62 052 t in 2020, a period that saw the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging waste, aiming to enhance recyclability but likely disrupting existing collection systems in the short term.

Recovery emerged in 2021 as the market volume climbed to 75 170 t, bolstered by the integrated operations of SOTIPAPIER. The company's activities in kraft paper production and, notably, its waste paper collection and recycling segment strengthened raw material supply. Over 2022 and 2023, the market stabilized around 69 000 t, with growth constrained by enduring structural challenges, including artificially depressed prices for recycled cardboard and the lack of a coherent national packaging strategy, which limited investment in recycling capacity.

The market's structure continued to evolve in 2024, highlighted by SOTIPAPIER's majority acquisition of Eco-Gad, a key collector and processor. This move consolidated collection infrastructure across several regions, potentially improving the efficiency of waste paper supply chains, while administrative hurdles for new recycling units and insufficient awareness campaigns remained persistent features of the landscape.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Tunisia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of paper and paperboard waste, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Tunisia produced 40 000 tonnes of paper and paperboard waste, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was also recorded in 2018 at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Tunisia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Tunisia's paper and paperboard waste production volume increased. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 822 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial rise of 13.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 23.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 128 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 19.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Tunisia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Tunisia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Tunisia exported 3 430 tonnes of paper and paperboard waste, indicating a robust decline of 24.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 47%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 29.8%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 0.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore, Belgium, and India formed the main group of destinations for Tunisia's paper and paperboard waste exports in kind, accounting for 64.3% of total flows. Singapore led with 41.8% of exports, followed by Belgium at 14.4% and India at 8.1%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Paper and paperboard waste deliveries from Tunisia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 499 thousand US dollars, reflecting a strong decrease of 14.3% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 59.3%, with an annualized rate of 25.9%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Tunisia's paper and paperboard waste exports in value terms were Singapore, Belgium, and India, collectively accounting for 68.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Tunisia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, paper and paperboard waste shipments to Tunisia from abroad declined. In 2020, imports totaled 25 482 tonnes, reflecting a decline of 64.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 41.8%, with an annualized rate of 16.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 72 361 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 56.1%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Libya, Algeria, and Turkey remained the leading sources in Tunisia's paper and paperboard waste imports in kind, with a combined share of 91.6% of total flows. Libya accounted for 43.5%, Algeria for 27.1%, and Turkey for 21.0%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year gain, the volume of paper and paperboard waste imports to Tunisia declined. In 2020, imports reached 4 809 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a sharp decline of 66.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 33.3%, with an annualized rate of 12.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 14 378 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 67.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Libya, Turkey, and Algeria were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of Tunisia's paper and paperboard waste imports in value terms, with a combined share of 85.3% of total flows. Libya accounted for 32.0%, Turkey for 30.5%, and Algeria for 22.9%.

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

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