Paper and paperboard waste market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for paper and paperboard waste in Zimbabwe expanded from approximately 57,900 tonnes in 2018 to 67,500 tonnes in 2023. This growth was initially supported by established local collection networks, such as ART Corporation's National Waste Collections, which secured domestic supply by recovering waste paper from various sectors. Concurrently, specialized recycling services from companies like Recycling Solutions provided verifiable waste management, aligning with early regulatory frameworks published in government gazettes.

The market's upward trajectory continued from 2022, accelerated by a significant rise in demand for paper-based packaging, particularly from the e-commerce sector. This consumption shift, coupled with stringent environmental regulations promoting recyclable materials, directly increased the volume of waste paper generated and collected. Furthermore, socio-economic factors like growing literacy rates and educational sector expansion contributed to higher paper usage and waste generation, while projects like JUST2CE actively promoted circular economy practices in the country.

By 2024, the market landscape was being reshaped by a surge in imports of fibreboard and paper products, which increased competitive pressure on local manufacturers. Despite this, ongoing efforts from recycling service providers and evolving policy frameworks continued to underpin the waste management ecosystem. The overall period saw the market volume grow by nearly 10,000 tonnes, reflecting a broader national focus on waste recovery and sustainable material flows.

Production paper and paperboard waste in Zimbabwe

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, Zimbabwe produced 70 000 tonnes of paper and paperboard waste, a figure that remained virtually unchanged from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 0.0%, while the largest increase also occurred in 2018 at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Zimbabwe's paper and paperboard waste production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 4 464 thousand US dollars, marking a decrease of 15.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 39.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.5%.

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

Exports paper and paperboard waste from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, t

Foreign supplies of paper and paperboard waste from Zimbabwe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 9 863 tonnes, showing a fall of 12.4% relative to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 19.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 13 912 tonnes, with the largest increase of 13.0% also in 2018, while the largest decline of 19.0% occurred in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, South Africa remained the dominant and almost sole destination for exports of paper and paperboard waste from Zimbabwe, accounting for 95.9% of the total.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Paper and paperboard waste shipments from Zimbabwe to abroad declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 629 thousand US dollars, amounting to a sharp fall of 26.2% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 51.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 21.5%.

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

In 2017 to 2020, the market structure was highly concentrated, with South Africa alone responsible for 95.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports paper and paperboard waste to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, t

Paper and paperboard waste deliveries to Zimbabwe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Zimbabwe imported 1 624 tonnes, indicating a reduction of 7.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 30.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 802 tonnes, with the largest increase of 45.0% also occurring in 2018.

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

In 2017 to 2020, the market structure was highly concentrated, with Botswana alone responsible for 92.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The volume of paper and paperboard waste imports to Zimbabwe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 340 thousand US dollars, down by 11.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 410 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 43.9% also in 2018.

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

In 2017 to 2020, paper and paperboard waste to Zimbabwe was supplied almost exclusively to Botswana, which absorbed 91.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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