Kraft paper exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported kraft paper worth $156.7 million (203.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Value rose 13% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2017, at $199.9 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $156.7M | 203.2K t |
| 2023 | $138.7M | 165.9K t |
| 2022 | $98.7M | 109.4K t |
| 2021 | $102.3M | 134.3K t |
| 2020 | $156.3M | 216.7K t |
| 2019 | $147.3M | 185.3K t |
| 2018 | $176.5M | 215.8K t |
| 2017 | $199.9M | 268.6K t |
Where South Africa exports kraft paper to
Most of it went to Italy (15%), Zimbabwe (7%), New Zealand (5%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 28%. Among the main buyer markets, United Arab Emirates grew fastest (+540% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Italy | $23.4M | 15% |
| Zimbabwe | $11.6M | 7.4% |
| New Zealand | $8.5M | 5.4% |
| Namibia | $7.3M | 4.6% |
| Spain | $7.2M | 4.6% |
| United States | $7.2M | 4.6% |
| United Kingdom | $6.7M | 4.3% |
| Zambia | $6.1M | 3.9% |
| United Arab Emirates | $5.9M | 3.8% |
| Kenya | $5.4M | 3.4% |
Product types under HS 4804
| 4804.19 | Kraft paper and paperboard: kraftliner, uncoated, bleached, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 | 70% |
| 4804.11 | Kraft paper and paperboard: kraftliner, uncoated, unbleached, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 | 18% |
| 4804.39 | Kraft paper and paperboard: uncoated, bleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 | 7.6% |
| 4804.31 | Kraft paper and paperboard: uncoated, unbleached, weight 150g/m2 or less, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 | 1.3% |
| 4804.21 | Kraft paper and paperboard: sack kraft paper, uncoated, unbleached, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 | 1.1% |
| 4804.41 | Kraft paper and paperboard: uncoated, unbleached, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no.… | 0.9% |
| 4804.49 | Kraft paper and paperboard: uncoated, weight more than 150g/m2 but less than 225g/m2, in rolls or sheets, n.e.c. in item no. 4804.4, other than that… | 0.5% |
| 4804.51 | Kraft paper and paperboard: uncoated, unbleached, weight 225g/m2 or more, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803 | 0.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 4804.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.77 per kg, close to the world average of $0.81.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Kraft paper imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported kraft paper worth $147.3 million (184.6 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Most of the value came from Sweden (14%), Eswatini (13%), United States (12%). Trade is spread widely: the top three suppliers together make up only 39%. Among the main suppliers, Sweden grew fastest (+64% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden | $20.0M | 14% |
| Eswatini | $19.6M | 13% |
| United States | $17.7M | 12% |
| Finland | $17.6M | 12% |
| Germany | $14.0M | 9.5% |
| Brazil | $11.2M | 7.6% |
| Austria | $8.1M | 5.5% |
| Australia | $7.0M | 4.7% |
| Bulgaria | $6.2M | 4.2% |
| Spain | $4.1M | 2.8% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
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 4804: Uncoated kraft paper and paperboard, in rolls or sheets, other than that of heading no. 4802 or 4803.
Common questions
What is the value of kraft paper exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported kraft paper worth $156.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 203.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 18th of 157 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 13% on 2023.
Which countries buy kraft paper from South Africa?
Italy was the largest buyer with 15% of the value ($23.4 million), followed by Zimbabwe (7%) and New Zealand (5%). The top three together account for 28%, out of 74 buyer countries in total. The United Arab Emirates grew fastest among the top ten, up 540% on the year.
What is the average export price of kraft paper per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.77 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $0.81 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have exports of kraft paper from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $199.9 million in 2017 to $156.7 million in 2024, a fall of 22%. The peak was 2017 at $199.9 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import kraft paper?
Yes. South Africa imported $147.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Sweden, Eswatini and the United States. That compares with exports of $156.7 million in the same year.
What is the HS code for kraft paper?
The HS code for kraft paper is heading 4804. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 4804.19 (70% of the value) and 4804.11 (17%). It sits in HS chapter 48 (paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or paperboard). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 4804 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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