Africa: Smoothing Iron Market 2024

Smoothing Iron Market Size in Africa

The African smoothing iron market expanded markedly to $X in 2021, picking up by 7.7% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Smoothing Iron Production in Africa

In value terms, smoothing iron production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -29.7% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 52%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Smoothing Iron Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of electric smoothing irons increased by 6.6% to X units for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports saw a resilient expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 97% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X units in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, smoothing iron exports totaled $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa was the key exporter of electric smoothing irons in Africa, with the volume of exports accounting for X units, which was approx. 71% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Egypt (X units), constituting a 25% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to smoothing iron exports from South Africa stood at +7.4%. At the same time, Egypt (+54.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Egypt emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +54.5% from 2012-2021. While the share of Egypt (+24 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of South Africa (-16 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, the largest smoothing iron supplying countries in Africa were South Africa ($X) and Egypt ($X).

Among the main exporting countries, Egypt, with a CAGR of +54.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per unit in 2021, falling by -5.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 91% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per unit), while South Africa stood at $X per unit.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+0.0%).

Smoothing Iron Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, the amount of electric smoothing irons imported in Africa expanded rapidly to X units, growing by 5.6% against 2020. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X units. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, smoothing iron imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the main importer of electric smoothing irons in Africa, with the volume of imports amounting to X units, which was approx. 45% of total imports in 2021. Tanzania (X units) held a 5.8% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Ghana (5.3%) and Egypt (5.1%). The following importers - Kenya (X units), Cameroon (X units), Libya (X units), Democratic Republic of the Congo (X units), Algeria (X units), Zimbabwe (X units) and Sudan (X units) - together made up 20% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to smoothing iron imports into South Africa stood at -2.7%. At the same time, Tanzania (+30.4%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+27.1%), Cameroon (+20.9%), Zimbabwe (+11.7%), Ghana (+10.3%) and Sudan (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +30.4% from 2012-2021. Kenya and Libya experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Egypt (-2.1%) and Algeria (-7.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Tanzania (+5.3 p.p.), Cameroon (+3.2 p.p.), Ghana (+3.1 p.p.) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+2.4 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Algeria and South Africa saw its share reduced by -2.4% and -13.1% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported electric smoothing irons in Africa, comprising 26% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($X), with a 9.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Ghana, with a 7.4% share.

In South Africa, smoothing iron imports shrank by an average annual rate of -4.1% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Egypt (-4.2% per year) and Ghana (+6.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Africa stood at $X per unit in 2021, remaining stable against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the import price increased by 7.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per unit in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per unit), while South Africa ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Algeria (+4.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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