South Africa: Magnetic Card Market 2025

Magnetic Card Market Size in South Africa

The South African magnetic card market fell notably to $X in 2021, waning by -17.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, posted a significant increase. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

Magnetic Card Production in South Africa

In value terms, magnetic card production declined notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, posted perceptible growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 50% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

Magnetic Card Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, the amount of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe exported from South Africa declined sharply to X units, falling by -31.1% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 132,920% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X units. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, magnetic card exports declined to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, posted temperate growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 119% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Lesotho (X units), Botswana (X units) and Zambia (X units) were the main destinations of magnetic card exports from South Africa, with a combined 60% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Zambia (with a CAGR of +59.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Botswana ($X), Zambia ($X) and Lesotho ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for magnetic card exported from South Africa worldwide, together accounting for 59% of total exports. Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

Among the main countries of destination, Tanzania, with a CAGR of +86.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average magnetic card export price amounted to $X per unit, picking up by 31% against the previous year. In general, the export price posted a significant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the average export price increased by 3,094%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2017 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Nigeria ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Nigeria (+1.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Magnetic Card Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, purchases abroad of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe increased by 98% to X units for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, faced a dramatic decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 219% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X units. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, magnetic card imports declined sharply to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, recorded a abrupt setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 274%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Tanzania (X units), China (X units) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X units) were the main suppliers of magnetic card imports to South Africa, together accounting for 62% of total imports. These countries were followed by Australia, India, the UK, Thailand, the United States, Germany, Hong Kong SAR and Singapore, which together accounted for a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Australia (with a CAGR of +102.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cards incorporating a magnetic stripe to South Africa, comprising 46% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by the United States, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China totaled -3.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (+5.5% per year) and the United States (-18.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average magnetic card import price amounted to $X per unit, with a decrease of -58% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 256% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per unit in 2020, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per unit), while the price for Tanzania ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+70.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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