South Africa: Transport Container Market 2025

Transport Container Market Size in South Africa

In 2022, the South African transport container market decreased by -82.3% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption saw a perceptible decline. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

Transport Container Production in South Africa

In value terms, transport container production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Transport Container Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, overseas shipments of transport containers increased by 17% to X units for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X units in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, transport container exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a perceptible slump. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Belgium (X units), the Netherlands (X units) and Angola (X units) were the main destinations of transport container exports from South Africa, together comprising 56% of total exports. Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the UK, Mozambique, Ghana, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, France, Swaziland and Mauritius lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the United Arab Emirates (with a CAGR of +43.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the key foreign market for transport containers exports from South Africa, comprising 48% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 6.6% share of total exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 5.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the Netherlands was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (-5.7% per year) and the United States (+3.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average transport container export price stood at $X per unit in 2022, surging by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a noticeable setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 46% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2017 to 2022, the average 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 the United States ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Zimbabwe ($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 the UK (+9.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Transport Container Imports

Imports into South Africa

Transport container imports into South Africa contracted sharply to X units in 2022, with a decrease of -17.8% on 2021 figures. Overall, imports recorded a sharp decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 65% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, transport container imports dropped dramatically to $X in 2022. In general, imports recorded a abrupt downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 38%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X units), the Netherlands (X units) and Hong Kong SAR (X units) were the main suppliers of transport container imports to South Africa, together comprising 53% of total imports. The United States, British Virgin Islands, Barbados, Bermuda, France, Taiwan (Chinese), the UK, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 42%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Bermuda (with a CAGR of +42.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Hong Kong SAR ($X) appeared to be the largest transport container suppliers to South Africa, with a combined 52% share of total imports. The United States, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Taiwan (Chinese), the UK, France, Barbados, the United Arab Emirates, Finland and Singapore lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 42%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Finland, with a CAGR of +60.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average transport container import price amounted to $X per unit, shrinking by -6.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, posted significant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 153%. The import price peaked at $X per unit in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Finland (+46.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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