South Africa Gypsum Board Market Overview, 2029

Gypsum boards are widely used in South Africa, although there is a clear shift in consumer demand for specialist kinds such as fire-resistant, moisture-resistant, and high-impact boards. This trend represents a shifting landscape of construction choices, with stakeholders emphasising safety, durability, and performance in building materials. As a result, local producers are responding to this changing demand by increasing production capacity to meet a wide range of board kinds, catering to the market's numerous building requirements and preferences. South Africa's gypsum board market is heavily influenced by socioeconomic issues. Rapid urbanisation, a feature of many emerging countries, is a primary driver of demand for gypsum boards. As cities grow, there is an increasing demand for efficient, cost-effective construction methods, and gypsum boards provide variety and speed of installation, keeping up with modern construction practices. Furthermore, the growing emphasis on energy efficiency in buildings is influencing consumer preferences for gypsum boards with insulating properties, indicating a greater understanding of sustainability and environmental concerns.


According to the research report “South Africa Gypsum Board Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the South Africa Gypsum Board Market is projected to add more than USD 800 Million from 2024 to 2029. Various drivers and obstacles impact the dynamics of South Africa's gypsum board market. Government infrastructure projects play a critical role in driving demand for construction materials such as gypsum boards. Furthermore, the market is benefiting from an increase in residential and commercial construction activity, which is being driven by factors such as population expansion, urbanisation, and economic development. The emphasis on speedier construction timelines aligns with the benefits of gypsum boards, which contribute to their growing popularity in the construction industry. However, the market confronts difficulties that may affect its growth trajectory. Fluctuations in raw material prices, particularly gypsum, are a significant concern for both producers and consumers, influencing production costs and pricing strategies. Furthermore, despite the growing popularity of gypsum boards, they compete with traditional construction materials such as bricks, which have long been used in the building business. Overcoming these problems needs strategic strategy, innovation, and market adaptation. Pricing on the market varies depending on board type, size, and brand. As of April 2024, standard boards are commonly priced between ZAR 30 and ZAR 50 per square metre. This pricing structure reflects customers' varying needs and allows for flexibility in meeting different budgetary limits. The market is further divided into board types, applications (residential, commercial), and end-user groups such as contractors and developers.

The gypsum board market segmentation encompasses various product types and applications. In terms of products, leading offerings include wallboard, commonly known as drywall or gypsum board, prized for its ease of installation and fire-resistant properties, making it a staple in both residential and commercial construction projects. Additionally, ceiling board, another form of gypsum board, finds extensive use in providing smooth finishes for ceilings while offering lightweight and fire-resistant characteristics. Pre-decorated board, featuring decorative finishes applied during manufacturing, caters to diverse aesthetic preferences. Furthermore, the Type X board stands out for its enhanced fire resistance, serving specific application needs. Regarding applications, residential usage dominates, with gypsum board widely employed in houses, apartments, and condominiums for interior walls and ceilings due to its ease of installation, durability, and soundproofing capabilities. The industrial sector witnesses growing adoption, utilising gypsum board for construction purposes across various industries. In the commercial sphere, gypsum boards find extensive application in non-residential buildings such as offices, retail stores, and hospitals, offering attributes like fire resistance, sound control, and durability. Other applications encompass pre-engineered metal buildings and institutional structures, which often demand customised solutions to meet specific design requirements. This comprehensive segmentation reflects the diverse utility and versatility of gypsum board across residential, industrial, and commercial sectors, catering to a wide range of construction needs with its unique properties and applications.


Government attempts to promote affordable housing projects represent a huge market opportunity. These measures not only increase demand for construction materials, but also promote innovation and efficiency in the industry. Trade fairs, such as AfriBuild and The Big 5 Construct South Africa, provide excellent opportunities for market expansion. These events allow you to network, showcase your products, and remain up to date on industry trends and advancements. Participating in such events allows businesses to form alliances, attract new clients, and obtain insight into growing industry trends. In recent years, leading industry participants have focused on increasing production capacity to meet rising demand. This strategic plan demonstrates a proactive approach to managing market dynamics and capitalising on emerging possibilities. In addition, as building safety rules have increased, there has been a greater emphasis on the manufacturing of fire-resistant boards. Rising demand for these specialist products emphasises the necessity of regulatory compliance and safety in the construction industry. However, changes in gypsum pricing have presented issues for producers, affecting production costs and profitability. Supply chain optimization, inventory management, and commodity price volatility hedging are some of the strategies used to offset these risks.


South Africa's gypsum board market is a shining example of region-wide scale and development, with a mature and well-established industry. In contrast, neighbouring countries, while not as large, offer prospects for growth and expansion. Notably, North African countries such as Egypt have seen a boom in construction activity, driving up demand for gypsum boards. This rising market presents a great opportunity for industry firms looking to enter emerging countries and profit on growing infrastructure development. By leveraging information from various regional markets, stakeholders may effectively strategize to optimise their presence and products across distinct geographical landscapes. The COVID-19 epidemic caused temporary disruptions in construction activity, which reverberated across the gypsum board industry. Fluctuating demand and logistical problems presented considerable obstacles to industry actors, requiring agility and resilience to negotiate tumultuous waters. Despite the difficulty, the market has demonstrated extraordinary tenacity, rebounding from initial setbacks and establishing a course for recovery. As construction activity picks up and confidence returns, the gypsum board industry is positioned to resume its upward trend, fueled by pent-up demand and smart actions to capitalise on new opportunities. Moving forward, proactive steps and flexible strategies will be required to reduce future risks and maintain momentum in a dynamic and evolving landscape.
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Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report
• Gypsum Board market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Product
• Wallboard
• Ceiling Board
• Pre-decorated Board
• Others

By Application
• Residential
• Industrial
• Commercial
• Others (Pre-Engineered metal building and Institutional)

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Gypsum Board industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.