South Africa: Helicopter Market 2025

Helicopter Market Size in South Africa

The South African helicopter market soared to $X in 2022, picking up by 1,671% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a deep contraction. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Helicopter Production in South Africa

In value terms, helicopter production stood at $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 2.2%. Helicopter production peaked at $X in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Helicopter Exports

Exports from South Africa

Helicopter exports from South Africa reduced sharply to X units in 2022, which is down by -97.1% compared with 2021 figures. Overall, exports, however, showed prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 10,247%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X units, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

In value terms, helicopter exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 76%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Brazil (X units) was the main destination for helicopter exports from South Africa, with a 54% share of total exports. Moreover, helicopter exports to Brazil exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Swaziland (X units), sixfold. The United States (X units) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 9.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Brazil stood at +7,600.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Swaziland (+39.1% per year) and the United States (-9.2% per year).

In value terms, Brazil ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for civil helicopters exports from South Africa, comprising 43% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($X), with a 19% share of total exports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 6.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Brazil stood at +3,534,328.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-15.6% per year) and Namibia (-11.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average helicopter export price stood at $X per unit in 2022, increasing by 3,844% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a deep contraction. The export price peaked at $X per unit in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Sudan ($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 Brazil (+45,801.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Helicopter Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, approx. X units of civil helicopters were imported into South Africa; rising by 43% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports, however, faced a significant decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 359%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X units in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, helicopter imports contracted markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, recorded a abrupt setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 134% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Germany (X units), France (X units) and the United States (X units) were the main suppliers of helicopter imports to South Africa, together comprising 76% of total imports. Hungary and New Zealand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 9.6%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Hungary (with a CAGR of +103.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the United States ($X) constituted the largest supplier of civil helicopters to South Africa, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 23% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the United States stood at +2.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-6.9% per year) and France (-9.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average helicopter import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, with a decrease of -56.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a significant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 1,517%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per unit in 2021, and then contracted remarkably in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per unit), while the price for Hungary ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Luxembourg (+644.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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