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South Africa - Wheelchairs - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Report Update: Feb 1, 2025

South Africa - Wheelchairs - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights

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May 16, 2024

Import of Wheelchairs From South Africa Surges to $4.4M in 2023

South Africa Wheelchair Imports

In 2023, approx. 59K units of wheelchairs were imported into South Africa; picking up by 5.3% on 2022. In general, total imports indicated a temperate expansion from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, imports decreased by -4.0% against 2021 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 55%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 73K units. From 2015 to 2023, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, wheelchair imports amounted to $4.4M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 31%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $5.9M. From 2019 to 2023, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.South Africa Wheelchair Imports By Country (Thousand USD)

COUNTRYImport Value of Wheelchair in South Africa (thousand USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
China2,1162,9522,7012,8672,3753,5753,0332,7143,7063,2483,070
Taiwan (Chinese)1,0121,108912874834882621344283197245
Germany239391434396398231156140312198219
Poland1.5N/A3.012.342.559.011367.394.957.2189
Italy43.637.068.690.356.211110963.247.184.7147
France11227.226.229.276.318581.533.628.145.5114
Sweden11176.07.114.683.412414080.210675.2106
United Kingdom30421132419327331830823512711270.2
United States19125524319513618914898.978.773.850.2
Others335386180240254265289222316220208
Total4,4645,4434,8994,9124,5285,9384,9993,9995,0984,3114,417

Imports by Country

In 2023, China (44K units) constituted the largest supplier of wheelchair to South Africa, accounting for a 75% share of total imports. Moreover, wheelchair imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Taiwan (Chinese) (2.6K units), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the UK (1.6K units), with a 2.8% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled +13.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (-15.8% per year) and the UK (-12.1% per year).

In value terms, China ($3.1M) constituted the largest supplier of wheelchairs to South Africa, comprising 69% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Taiwan (Chinese) ($245K), with a 5.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 5% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value from China stood at +3.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (-13.2% per year) and Germany (-0.9% per year).

Imports by Type

Invalid carriages not mechanically propelled (33K units) and invalid carriages motorised or mechanically propelled (18K units) were the main products of wheelchair imports to South Africa.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by invalid carriages motorised or mechanically propelled (with a CAGR of +0.3%).

In value terms, invalid carriages not mechanically propelled ($3.1M) constituted the largest type of wheelchairs supplied to South Africa, comprising 70% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by invalid carriages motorised or mechanically propelled ($1.3M), with a 30% share of total imports.

Import Prices by Country

In 2023, the wheelchair price amounted to $75 per unit (CIF, South Africa), falling by -2.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 50%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $156 per unit. From 2019 to 2023, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($94 per unit), while the price for the UK ($43 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the wheelchair 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 30922030 - Invalid carriages not mechanically propelled
  • Prodcom 30922090 - Invalid carriages motorised or mechanically propelled

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:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. 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. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE
    3. TRADE BALANCE
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2030

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCT
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT

  5. 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
    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS FROM 2012–2024
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

    This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    3. Market Value, 2012–2024
    4. Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2024
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    2. Market Value, 2012–2024
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2024
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2024
    7. Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2024
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2030
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2030
    10. Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
    11. Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
    12. Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
    13. Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
    14. Production Volume And Growth
    15. Exports And Growth
    16. Export Prices And Growth
    17. Market Size And Growth
    18. Per Capita Consumption
    19. Imports And Growth
    20. Import Prices
    21. Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    22. Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    24. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    28. Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2024
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2024
    30. Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2024
    31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    34. Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2024

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