SADC: Optical Fiber Cables Market 2025

Optical Fiber Cables Market Size in SADC

The SADC optical fiber cables market reduced markedly to $X in 2022, dropping by -19.1% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, showed a moderate increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2021, and then contracted significantly in the following year.

Optical Fiber Cables Production in SADC

In value terms, optical fiber cables production fell slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a slight increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Optical Fiber Cables Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, overseas shipments of optical fiber cables increased by 29% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Total exports indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +66.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 59%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, optical fiber cables exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports recorded a temperate expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 144%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, accounting for X tons, which was near 90% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Mauritius (X tons), mixing up a 6.3% share of total exports. Tanzania (X tons) held a little share of total exports.

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Tanzania (+47.3%) and Mauritius (+40.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +47.3% from 2012-2022. While the share of Mauritius (+6 p.p.) and Tanzania (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of South Africa (-7.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest optical fiber cables supplier in SADC, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mauritius ($X), with a 12% share of total exports.

In South Africa, optical fiber cables exports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mauritius (+39.3% per year) and Tanzania (+40.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, declining by -4.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a mild expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 an increase of 81% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mauritius ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Optical Fiber Cables Imports

Imports in SADC

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of optical fiber cables decreased by -48.8% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports, however, enjoyed a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 152% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then reduced dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, optical fiber cables imports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 53%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the main importer of optical fiber cables in SADC, with the volume of imports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 65% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Tanzania (X tons), making up a 13% share of total imports. The following importers - Mozambique (X tons), Botswana (X tons), Zambia (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) - together made up 15% of total imports.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +11.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Zambia (+26.5%) and Botswana (+8.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zambia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +26.5% from 2012-2022. Tanzania and Mozambique experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Zimbabwe (-5.6%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (-7.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+26 p.p.) and Zambia (+2.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Mozambique (-2.8 p.p.), Zimbabwe (-4.5 p.p.), Democratic Republic of the Congo (-5.2 p.p.) and Tanzania (-7.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Tanzania ($X) and Botswana ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 71% of total imports. These countries were followed by Mozambique, Zambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe, which together accounted for a further 14%.

Zambia, with a CAGR of +22.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 156% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a abrupt shrinkage. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Tanzania ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Botswana (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform