South Africa: Market for Lead-Acid Accumulators (Excluding Starter Batteries) 2025

Market Size for Lead-Acid Accumulators (Excluding Starter Batteries) in South Africa

The South African market for lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2022, after two years of decline. Overall, consumption enjoyed a strong increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Lead-Acid Accumulators (Excluding Starter Batteries)

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) increased by 9.7% to X units, rising for the fifth year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports saw buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 74%. The exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) exports reduced to $X in 2022. In general, total exports indicated moderate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports decreased by -7.7% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 68%. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Mozambique (X units), Lesotho (X units) and Namibia (X units) were the main destinations of lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) exports from South Africa, together comprising 59% of total exports. Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, Swaziland, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Turkey, Australia, the UK and Nigeria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +108.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mozambique ($X) remains the key foreign market for lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) exports from South Africa, comprising 32% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zimbabwe ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Lesotho, with a 9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Mozambique amounted to +18.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (-2.5% per year) and Lesotho (+18.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average export price for lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) amounted to $X per unit, dropping by -14.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 46%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per unit. From 2019 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Turkey ($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 Turkey (+15.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lead-Acid Accumulators (Excluding Starter Batteries)

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, imports of lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) into South Africa soared to X units, with an increase of 37% on 2021 figures. Overall, imports enjoyed a prominent expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 251%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X units. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports posted prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 175% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X units) constituted the largest supplier of lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) to South Africa, accounting for a 76% share of total imports. Moreover, lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Vietnam (X units), sixfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled +5.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (+38.6% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (-12.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) to South Africa, comprising 50% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Vietnam ($X), with an 8.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China stood at +8.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (+41.8% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (-8.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average import price for lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) amounted to $X per unit, picking up by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, lead-acid accumulators (excluding starter batteries) import price increased by +45.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the average import price increased by 27% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per unit in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+3.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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