Wheelchair Price in China Grows 4% to $115 per Unit

China Wheelchair Export Price in September 2022

In September 2022, the wheelchair price amounted to $115 per unit (FOB, China), picking up by 4.1% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in June 2022 an increase of 6.8% against the previous month. The export price peaked in September 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination: the country with the highest price was Japan ($233 per unit), while the average price for exports to Mexico ($62.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Indonesia (+7.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

China Wheelchair Export Prices by Type

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was invalid carriages motorised or mechanically propelled ($578 per unit), while the average price for exports of invalid carriages not mechanically propelled stood at $81.3 per unit.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: motorised invalid carriage (-0.1%).

China Wheelchair Exports

In September 2022, overseas shipments of wheelchairs decreased by -3.5% to 867K units, falling for the third consecutive month after two months of growth. Overall, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in March 2022 when exports increased by 42% against the previous month. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at 973K units in June 2022; however, from July 2022 to September 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, wheelchair exports stood at $100M (IndexBox estimates) in September 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in March 2022 when exports increased by 47% against the previous month. The exports peaked at 106M units in June 2022; however, from July 2022 to September 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

China Wheelchair Exports by Type

Invalid carriages not mechanically propelled (808K units) was the largest type of wheelchair exported from China, accounting for a 93% share of total exports. Moreover, invalid carriages not mechanically propelled exceeded the volume of the second product type, invalid carriages motorised or mechanically propelled (59K units), more than tenfold.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the average monthly growth rate of the volume of export of invalid carriages not mechanically propelled was relatively modest.

In value terms, invalid carriages not mechanically propelled ($66M) and invalid carriages motorised or mechanically propelled ($34M) appeared to be the most exported types of wheelchairs from China worldwide.

Motorised invalid carriage, with a CAGR of +1.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main product categories over the period under review.

China Wheelchair Exports by Country

The United States (348K units) was the main destination for wheelchair exports from China, with a 40% share of total exports. Moreover, wheelchair exports to the United States exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (37K units), ninefold. Mexico (34K units) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 3.9% share.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of volume to the United States was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average monthly rates of exports growth: Germany (-0.2% per month) and Mexico (-1.1% per month).

In value terms, the United States ($34M) remains the key foreign market for wheelchair exports from China, comprising 35% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the UK ($7.7M), with a 7.7% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan, with a 6.6% share.

From January 2022 to September 2022, the average monthly rate of growth in terms of value to the United States was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average monthly rates of exports growth: the UK (+1.3% per month) and Japan (-0.3% per month).

Wheelchair Market Overview

The Chinese wheelchair market is expected to grow significantly in the next few years, driven by a number of factors. Firstly, the country's ageing population is increasingly requiring mobility assistance, and wheelchairs are an essential part of this.

Secondly, China's rapidly growing economy is resulting in more people being able to afford wheelchairs and other mobility aids. And finally, the Chinese government is increasing its focus on improving disabled access, which will also drive demand for wheelchairs.

As a result of all these factors, it is expected that the Chinese wheelchair market will become one of the largest in the world in the next few years. This presents a huge opportunity for manufacturers and suppliers who are looking to tap into this growing market.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform