South Africa: Cutting Blade Market 2025

Cutting Blade Market Size in South Africa

The South African cutting blade market soared to $X in 2021, with an increase of 24% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption saw a strong increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Cutting Blade Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, shipments abroad of knives and cutting blades (for machines or for mechanical appliances) decreased by -1.8% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, exports recorded a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 42%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cutting blade exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports continue to indicate a pronounced curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 29%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X tons), the United States (X tons) and Swaziland (X tons) were the main destinations of cutting blade exports from South Africa, together comprising 54% of total exports. These countries were followed by Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, the United Arab Emirates, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea, which together accounted for a further 35%.

From 2012 to 2021, 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 +61.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X), Namibia ($X) and Swaziland ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for cutting blade exported from South Africa worldwide, together comprising 46% of total exports. These countries were followed by Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, the United Arab Emirates, Guinea and Democratic Republic of the Congo, which together accounted for a further 35%.

The United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +67.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average cutting blade export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Guinea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United Arab Emirates (+3.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cutting Blade Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, overseas purchases of knives and cutting blades (for machines or for mechanical appliances) increased by 10% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, total imports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +26.2% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 57%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cutting blade imports totaled $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 12%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of cutting blade to South Africa, with a 45% share of total imports. Moreover, cutting blade imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Italy (X tons), threefold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 7.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from China stood at +8.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (+2.4% per year) and Germany (-1.8% per year).

In value terms, the largest cutting blade suppliers to South Africa were Germany ($X), China ($X) and the United States ($X), with a combined 51% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Italy, the UK, Sweden, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Taiwan (Chinese), which together accounted for a further 28%.

Among the main suppliers, Sweden, with a CAGR of +7.7%, 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 2021, the average cutting blade import price amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 46% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+7.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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