South Africa: Trailer And Semi-Trailer Market 2024

Trailer And Semi-Trailer Market Size in South Africa

The South African trailer and semi-trailer market rose markedly to $X in 2022, picking up by 6.6% against the previous year. Overall, consumption enjoyed a measured increase. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Trailer And Semi-Trailer Production in South Africa

In value terms, trailer and semi-trailer production expanded rapidly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -7.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 62% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Trailer And Semi-Trailer Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of cargo trailers and semi-trailers increased by 37% to X units, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, showed a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 45% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, trailer and semi-trailer exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 41%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Zambia (X units) was the main destination for trailer and semi-trailer exports from South Africa, with a 33% share of total exports. Moreover, trailer and semi-trailer exports to Zambia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zimbabwe (X units), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Mozambique (X units), with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Zambia totaled +6.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (+0.1% per year) and Mozambique (+13.1% per year).

In value terms, Zambia ($X) remains the key foreign market for cargo trailers and semi-trailers exports from South Africa, comprising 35% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zimbabwe ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Zambia totaled +10.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (+12.8% per year) and Mozambique (+6.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average trailer and semi-trailer export price amounted to $X per unit, dropping by -10.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, posted a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the average export price increased by 68% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per unit in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Kenya ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Uruguay ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Swaziland (+22.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Trailer And Semi-Trailer Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, approx. X units of cargo trailers and semi-trailers were imported into South Africa; jumping by 65% compared with the year before. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 166% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X units in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, trailer and semi-trailer imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 81%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

Botswana (X units), China (X units) and the United States (X units) were the main suppliers of trailer and semi-trailer imports to South Africa, together comprising 42% of total imports. Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, Turkey, France, the UK, Namibia and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 11%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +153.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Botswana ($X), Germany ($X) and the United States ($X) appeared to be the largest trailer and semi-trailer suppliers to South Africa, with a combined 65% share of total imports. China, Turkey, France, the UK, the Czech Republic, Poland, Namibia and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

The Czech Republic, with a CAGR of +268.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average trailer and semi-trailer import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, declining by -24.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a slight decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the average import price increased by 201%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per unit. From 2021 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per unit), while the price for Italy ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+45.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform