SADC: Wheelchair Market 2025

Wheelchair Market Size in SADC

In 2021, the SADC wheelchair market decreased by -1.3% to $X for the first time since 2016, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +72.3% against 2016 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Wheelchair Production in SADC

In value terms, wheelchair production fell slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Wheelchair Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, wheelchair exports in SADC rose markedly to X units, picking up by 13% against the previous year. In general, exports saw resilient growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 93%. The volume of export peaked at X units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wheelchair exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

South Africa dominates exports structure, finishing at X units, which was approx. 94% of total exports in 2021. Botswana (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the wheelchairs exports, with a CAGR of +16.9% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Botswana (+15.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. While the share of South Africa (+12 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest wheelchair supplier in SADC, comprising 90% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Botswana ($X), with a 3.7% share of total exports.

In South Africa, wheelchair exports increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per unit in 2021, picking up by 11% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 14%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Botswana ($X per unit), while South Africa amounted to $X per unit.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Botswana (-6.8%).

Wheelchair Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, supplies from abroad of wheelchairs was finally on the rise to reach X units after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 37%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X units in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, wheelchair imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 41%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the major importing country with an import of around X units, which resulted at 59% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Mozambique (X units), Tanzania (X units) and Zambia (X units), together mixing up a 21% share of total imports. Mauritius (X units), Botswana (X units), Zimbabwe (X units) and Angola (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Mozambique (+30.0%), Zambia (+10.0%) and Tanzania (+7.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mozambique emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +30.0% from 2012-2021. Zimbabwe and Mauritius experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Botswana (-13.3%) and Angola (-19.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+17 p.p.), Mozambique (+9.3 p.p.), Zambia (+2.3 p.p.) and Tanzania (+2.1 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Angola (-13.5 p.p.) and Botswana (-14.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported wheelchairs in SADC, comprising 55% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tanzania ($X), with a 9.4% share of total imports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa totaled +2.3%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Tanzania (+11.8% per year) and Mozambique (+18.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per unit, remaining stable against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the import price increased by 25% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 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 Angola ($X per unit), while Zambia ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Botswana (+7.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform