Bleached paper waste exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of bleached paper waste by South Africa reached $5.2 million in 2024 (15.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 126% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 36% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5.2M | 15.2K t |
| 2023 | $2.3M | 6.8K t |
| 2022 | $4.9M | 14.5K t |
| 2021 | $2.3M | 9.1K t |
| 2020 | $628K | 2.6K t |
| 2019 | $772K | 2.5K t |
| 2018 | $3.6M | 13.8K t |
| 2017 | $601K | 2.6K t |
Where South Africa exports bleached paper waste to
One buyer market dominates: India accounted for 88% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, India grew fastest (+152% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $4.6M | 88% |
| Zambia | $203K | 3.9% |
| Botswana | $167K | 3.2% |
| Germany | $136K | 2.6% |
| Singapore | $52K | 1% |
| Belgium | $51K | 1% |
| Nigeria | $23K | 0.4% |
| Netherlands | $16K | 0.3% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.34 per kg, close to the world average of $0.29.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Bleached paper waste imports to South Africa
Imports of bleached paper waste by South Africa reached $327 thousand in 2024 (1.8 thousand tonnes). The largest suppliers were Namibia (45%), Mozambique (21%), Eswatini (16%). Among the main suppliers, Eswatini grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $147K | 45% |
| Mozambique | $68K | 21% |
| Eswatini | $52K | 16% |
| Botswana | $46K | 14% |
| Netherlands | $6K | 1.9% |
| Israel | $4K | 1.2% |
| United States | $3K | 0.9% |
| Lesotho | $1K | 0.3% |
| Sweden | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa bleached paper waste exports (HS 4707.20): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 4707.20: Paper or paperboard: waste and scrap, paper or paperboard made mainly of bleached chemical pulp, not coloured in the mass.
Common questions
What is the value of bleached paper waste exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported bleached paper waste worth $5.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 15.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 31st of 105 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 126% on 2023.
Which countries buy bleached paper waste from South Africa?
India was the largest buyer with 88% of the value ($4.6 million), followed by Zambia (4%) and Botswana (3%). The top three together account for 95%, out of 8 buyer countries in total. Botswana grew fastest among the top ten, up 191% on the year.
What is the average export price of bleached paper waste per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.34 per kg in 2024, 17% above the world average of $0.29 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of bleached paper waste from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $601 thousand in 2017 to $5.2 million in 2024, an increase of 766%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $2.5 million a year.
Does South Africa also import bleached paper waste?
Yes. South Africa imported $327 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Namibia, Mozambique and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $4.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for bleached paper waste?
The HS code for bleached paper waste is subheading 4707.20. It sits in HS chapter 47 (pulp of wood or other fibrous cellulosic material; recovered (waste and scrap) paper or paperboard). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4707 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World bleached paper waste trade: top importers and exporters
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