
South Africa - Agricultural Harvesters - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights
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View PricingSouth Africa Sets New Record With $247M in Agricultural Harvester Imports for 2023
South Africa Agricultural Harvester Imports
In 2023, overseas purchases of agricultural harvesters increased by 17% to 1.8K units, rising for the third consecutive year after three years of decline. In general, imports showed a remarkable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 77%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2023 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
In value terms, agricultural harvester imports skyrocketed to $247M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Overall, imports continue to indicate prominent growth. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

COUNTRY | Import Value of Agricultural Harvester in South Africa (million USD) | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
Germany | 13.6 | 15.6 | 6.3 | 7.0 | 11.9 | 11.1 | 8.5 | 27.6 | 40.2 | 48.0 | 91.4 |
United States | 73.9 | 61.9 | 47.3 | 18.4 | 37.9 | 33.9 | 36.5 | 15.4 | 17.7 | 30.6 | 54.4 |
Brazil | 2.5 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0.8 | 2.2 | 3.8 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 7.6 | 21.5 | 47.5 |
Belgium | 3.0 | 4.8 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 3.5 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 0.5 | 5.0 | 19.4 | 30.6 |
Italy | 1.6 | 2.0 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 2.5 | 4.9 | 6.4 |
China | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 4.9 |
Canada | 2.3 | 3.7 | 2.8 | 3.1 | 4.3 | 1.2 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 1.8 | 2.8 | 3.6 |
France | 4.1 | 7.6 | 4.8 | 3.2 | 1.2 | 4.9 | 5.6 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 1.9 |
Others | 5.4 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 6.6 | 5.1 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 7.3 | 6.8 |
Total | 107 | 103 | 74.0 | 37.9 | 66.7 | 63.8 | 63.0 | 54.2 | 84.6 | 139 | 247 |
Imports by Country
In 2023, Germany (631 units) constituted the largest supplier of agricultural harvester to South Africa, accounting for a 34% share of total imports. Moreover, agricultural harvester imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Brazil (301 units), twofold. the United States (250 units) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 14% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume from Germany totaled +9.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Brazil (+9.1% per year) and the United States (-6.4% per year).
In value terms, the largest agricultural harvester suppliers to South Africa were Germany ($91M), the United States ($54M) and Brazil ($47M), together comprising 78% of total imports. Belgium, Italy, China, Canada and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.
China, with a CAGR of +39.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports by Type
Combine harvester-threshers (953 units), forage harvesters and other harvesting machines (727 units) and threshing machinery except combine harvester-threshers (152 units) were the main products of agricultural harvester imports to South Africa, together accounting for 99.9% of total imports.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by threshing machinery except combine harvester-threshers (with a CAGR of +10.1%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, combine harvester-threshers ($212M) constituted the largest type of agricultural harvesters supplied to South Africa, comprising 86% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by forage harvesters and other harvesting machines ($34M), with a 14% share of total imports.
Import Prices by Country
In 2023, the agricultural harvester price amounted to $135,074 per unit (CIF, South Africa), increasing by 52% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a measured increase. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($263,497 per unit), while the price for Italy ($34,461 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+23.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the agricultural harvester market in South Africa. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.
Product coverage:
- Prodcom 28305915 - Combine harvester-threshers
- Prodcom 28305930 - Agricultural threshing machinery (excluding combine harvester-threshers)
- Prodcom 28305945 - Forage harvesters (excluding self-propelled)
- Prodcom 28305960 - Forage harvesters, self-propelled
- Prodcom 28305970 - Harvesting machines (excluding combine harvester threshers, root or tuber harvesting machines, forage harvesters)
Country coverage:
- South Africa
Data coverage:
- Market volume and value
- Per Capita consumption
- Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
- Trade (exports and imports) in South Africa
- Export and import prices
- Market trends, drivers and restraints
- Key market players and their profiles
Reasons to buy this report:
- Take advantage of the latest data
- Find deeper insights into current market developments
- Discover vital success factors affecting the market
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.
In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:
- How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
- How to load your idle production capacity
- How to boost your sales on overseas markets
- How to increase your profit margins
- How to make your supply chain more sustainable
- How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
- How to outsource production to other countries
- How to prepare your business for global expansion
While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.
1. INTRODUCTION
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
- REPORT DESCRIPTION
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
- DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
- KEY FINDINGS
- MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO
3. MARKET OVERVIEW
Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects
- MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- MARKET FORECAST TO 2035
4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
- TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
- BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
- MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
- MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
- MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS
5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
- TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
- TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
- LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export
- TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
- UNSATURATED MARKETS
- TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
- MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
- PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
- IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
- IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
- EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
- EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
- EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
LIST OF TABLES
- Key Findings In 2024
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
LIST OF FIGURES
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Market Volume Forecast to 2035
- Market Value Forecast to 2035
- Market Size and Growth, By Product
- Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
- Exports and Growth, By Product
- Export Prices and Growth, By Product
- Production Volume and Growth
- Exports and Growth
- Export Prices and Growth
- Market Size and Growth
- Per Capita Consumption
- Imports and Growth
- Import Prices
- Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024