South Africa - Seats - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
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View PricingSouth Africa's Seat Imports See An 11% Increase, Reaching $121 Million in 2024
South Africa Seat Imports
In 2024, overseas purchases of seats were finally on the rise to reach 5.1M units for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 47%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 6.4M units. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, seat imports expanded significantly to $121M (IndexBox estimates) in 2024. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 30% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $158M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
| COUNTRY | Import Value of Seat in South Africa (million USD) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| China | 103 | 108 | 89.9 | 98.0 | 118 | 122 | 89.9 | 118 | 85.3 | 76.9 | 86.5 |
| Italy | 6.3 | 5.7 | 6.9 | 7.8 | 6.8 | 6.7 | 4.8 | 5.9 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 5.8 |
| France | 2.4 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 3.3 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 3.9 |
| Indonesia | 4.3 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 4.4 | 3.8 | 2.3 | 3.5 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.6 |
| Vietnam | 2.2 | 2.7 | 1.8 | 2.5 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 2.7 | 3.4 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 2.9 |
| United States | 3.9 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 2.8 | 3.2 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 2.5 |
| United Kingdom | 2.1 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.9 | 2.2 | 2.2 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 2.4 |
| Germany | 2.4 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 3.6 | 2.5 | 2.9 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 2.4 |
| Others | 11.6 | 11.7 | 9.2 | 10.2 | 10.9 | 10.7 | 8.2 | 10.2 | 10.8 | 10.2 | 10.9 |
| Total | 139 | 143 | 122 | 133 | 157 | 158 | 115 | 149 | 116 | 109 | 121 |
Imports by Country
In 2024, China (4.7M units) was the main seat supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 93% share of total imports. It was followed by Indonesia (69K units), with a 1.4% share of total imports. Italy (51K units) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 1% share.
From 2014 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China stood at +1.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Indonesia (-1.8% per year) and Italy (-1.8% per year).
In value terms, China ($86M) constituted the largest supplier of seats to South Africa, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Italy ($5.8M), with a 4.8% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 3.2% share.
From 2014 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China amounted to -1.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (-0.7% per year) and France (+5.1% per year).
Imports by Type
In 2024, non-upholstered seats with metal frames (1.9M units) constituted the largest type of seats supplied to South Africa, with a 38% share of total imports. Moreover, non-upholstered seats with metal frames exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, seats; n.e.s. in heading no. 9401, (excluding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary or barber furniture) (887K units), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by upholstered seats with metal frames (641K units), with a 13% share.
From 2014 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of non-upholstered seats with metal frames imports was relatively modest. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: seats; n.e.s. in heading no. 9401, (excluding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary or barber furniture) (-1.3% per year) and upholstered seats with metal frames (+4.5% per year).
In value terms, upholstered seats with wooden frames ($33M), non-upholstered seats with metal frames ($19M) and swivel seats with variable height adjustments ($19M) constituted the most imported types of seats in South Africa, with a combined 59% share of total imports. Upholstered seats with metal frames, seats; n.e.s. in heading no. 9401, (excluding medical, surgical, dental, veterinary or barber furniture), seats for motor vehicles, non-upholstered seats with wooden frames, seats; of a kind used for aircraft, seats convertible into beds, seats; of cane, osier or similar materials, other than bamboo or rattan and seats; of bamboo or rattan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.
Import Prices by Country
In 2024, the seat price stood at $24 per unit (CIF, South Africa), surging by 2.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 23% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $30 per unit in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.
As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for China.
From 2014 to 2024, the rate of growth in terms of prices for China amounted to -3.0% per year.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the seat 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 29321000 - Seats for motor vehicles
- Prodcom 30305010 - Seats for aircraft, parts thereof
- Prodcom 31001155 -
- Prodcom 31001159 -
- Prodcom 31001170 - Upholstered seats with metal frames (excluding swivel seats, m edical, surgical, dental or veterinary seats, barbers
- Prodcom 31001190 - Non-upholstered seats with metal frames (excluding medical, s urgical, dental or veterinary seats, barbers
- Prodcom 31001210 - Seats convertible into beds (excluding garden seats or camping equipment)
- Prodcom 31001230 - Seats of cane, osier, bamboo or similar materials
- Prodcom 31001250 - Upholstered seats with wooden frames (including three piece suites) (excluding swivel seats)
- Prodcom 31001290 - Non-upholstered seats with wooden frames (excluding swivel seats)
- Prodcom 31001300 - Other seats, of HS
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.
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1. INTRODUCTION
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
- REPORT DESCRIPTION
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
- DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
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2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
- KEY FINDINGS
- MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
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3. MARKET OVERVIEW
Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects
- MARKET SIZE
- MARKET STRUCTURE
- TRADE BALANCE
- PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
- MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
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4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
- BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
- MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
- MOST TRADED PRODUCT
- MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT
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5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
- TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
- LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
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6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- 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
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
- IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
- IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
- IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
- EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
- EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
- EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
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10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO -
LIST OF TABLES
- Key Findings In 2024
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Market Value, 2012–2024
- Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
- Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024
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LIST OF FIGURES
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Market Value, 2012–2024
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
- Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
- Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
- Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
- Market Volume Forecast to 2030
- Market Value Forecast to 2030
- Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
- Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
- Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
- Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
- 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, 2012–2024
- Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- 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 Of Origin, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
- Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
- 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 Of Destination, 2012–2024
