South Africa Food Packaging Market

South Africa Food Packaging Market Overview:

The South Africa food packaging market size reached USD 1,818.41 Million in 2024. The market is projected to reach USD 2,784.88 Million by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.85% during 2025-2033. The growing health and hygiene concerns are making people more inclined towards packaged fast food products over unpackaged alternatives. Besides this, the proliferation of supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores, which aids in increasing the visibility and availability of packaged food items, is propelling the South Africa food packaging market share.

South Africa Food Packaging Market Trends:

Increasing consumption of fast food items

Rising consumption of fast food items is fueling the growth of the market in South Africa, as the country is witnessing a steady shift towards quick, affordable, and convenient meal options, especially among urban populations and working professionals. As per the nationally representative survey of 20,000 individuals carried out by the MRF, in 2024, half of all adult South Africans, amounting to 23.4 Million individuals, purchased fast food items. With busier lifestyles, more people are increasingly relying on fast food chains, quick-service restaurants (QSRs), and street food outlets, which has led to surging demand for packaging solutions that ensure freshness, portability, and hygiene. Packaging plays a vital role in preserving the taste, preventing contamination, and offering convenience for both dine-in and takeaway consumers. Rising health and hygiene concerns are also making people more inclined towards packaged fast food products over unpackaged alternatives. In addition, attractive and branded packaging is becoming an important marketing tool for fast food companies to stand out in a highly competitive market. This growing reliance on fast food and quick dining culture is directly contributing to consistent growth opportunities in the market.

Broadening of retail outlets

The expansion of retail channels is bolstering the South Africa food packaging market growth, as the proliferation of supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores is increasing the visibility and availability of packaged food products. As per the Trading Economics, in June 2025, retail sales in South Africa increased by 1.6% compared to June 2024. With retail chains expanding into both urban and semi-urban areas, people have access to a wider range of packaged goods, ranging from snacks and beverages to frozen and ready-to-eat (RTE) meals, driving greater demand for diverse packaging formats. Retailers are emphasizing packaging that enhances shelf appeal through attractive designs, clear labeling, and durability, making packaging a critical factor in user purchasing decisions. Moreover, modern retail outlets demand standardized packaging that ensures product safety, longer shelf life, and ease of stocking and transportation. The expansion of private-label brands in large retail stores is also driving innovations in cost-efficient, appealing packaging. Additionally, the growing penetration of organized retail has encouraged suppliers to adopt eco-friendly and sustainable packaging to align with changing user preferences. As retail infrastructure is broadening across South Africa, it is expected to further strengthen the industry by increasing the consumption of packaged food items in both rural and urban markets.

South Africa Food Packaging Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on packaging type and application.

Packaging Type Insights:

• Flexible
• Paper and Paperboard
• Rigid Plastic
• Glass
• Metal
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the packaging type. This includes flexible, paper and paperboard, rigid plastic, glass, metal, and others.

Application Insights:

• Bakery, Confectionery, Pasta, and Noodles
• Dairy Products
• Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments
• Snacks and Side Dishes
• Convenience Foods
• Meat, Fish, and Poultry
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application have also been provided in the report. This includes bakery, confectionery, pasta, and noodles, dairy products, sauces, dressings, and condiments, snacks and side dishes, convenience foods, meat, fish, and poultry, fruits and vegetables, and others.

Regional Insights:

• Gauteng
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Western Cape
• Mpumalanga
• Eastern Cape
• Others

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape, and others.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

South Africa Food Packaging Market News:

• In April 2025, Tetra Pak launched Tetra Recart in South Africa, a contemporary, eco-friendly food carton package. It offered the smallest carbon footprint among food packaging options, preserving the strength and longevity of canned products, such as vegetables and soups.
• In April 2024, Nampak Liquid Cartons, partnering with Woodlands Dairy, released South Africa’s first tethered cap carton, representing a major advancement in the fight against plastic pollution. This creative design could stop the cap from detaching from the carton during post-consumer recycling, matching the increasing need for eco-friendly packaging options. This alliance highlighted the shared dedication of both firms to sustainability, quality, and food safety.

South Africa Food Packaging Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the South Africa food packaging market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the South Africa food packaging market on the basis of packaging type?
• What is the breakup of the South Africa food packaging market on the basis of application?
• What is the breakup of the South Africa food packaging market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the South Africa food packaging market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the South Africa food packaging market?
• What is the structure of the South Africa food packaging market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the South Africa food packaging market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the South Africa food packaging market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the South Africa food packaging market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the South Africa food packaging industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.