South Africa: Market for Lifts, Elevators, Moving Stairways and Draglines 2025

Market Size for Lifts, Elevators, Moving Stairways and Draglines in South Africa

In 2022, the South African market for lifts, elevators, moving stairways and draglines decreased by -80% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, consumption recorded a abrupt descent. Lift, elevator, stairway and dragline consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

Production of Lifts, Elevators, Moving Stairways and Draglines in South Africa

In value terms, lift, elevator, stairway and dragline production reduced notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 95%. Lift, elevator, stairway and dragline production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Lifts, Elevators, Moving Stairways and Draglines

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of lifts, elevators, moving stairways and draglines decreased by -66.8% to X units, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 560%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X units. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lift, elevator, stairway and dragline exports stood at $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 70%. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

France (X units) was the main destination for lift, elevator, stairway and dragline exports from South Africa, accounting for a 32% share of total exports. Moreover, lift, elevator, stairway and dragline exports to France exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Sierra Leone (X units), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Cuba (X units), with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to France was relatively modest. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Sierra Leone (+32.3% per year) and Cuba (+361.0% per year).

In value terms, Ghana ($X), Zimbabwe ($X) and Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) constituted the largest markets for lift, elevator, stairway and dragline exported from South Africa worldwide, together accounting for 53% of total exports. Botswana, Zambia, Swaziland, Namibia, France, Sierra Leone, Lithuania, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Cuba and Tanzania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

Among the main countries of destination, Cuba, with a CAGR of +483.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for lifts, elevators, moving stairways and draglines stood at $X per unit in 2022, rising by 209% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a deep reduction. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per unit in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to France ($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 Lithuania (+517.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lifts, Elevators, Moving Stairways and Draglines

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, approx. X units of lifts, elevators, moving stairways and draglines were imported into South Africa; falling by -87.2% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, imports recorded a abrupt contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 959%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X units, and then fell notably in the following year.

In value terms, lift, elevator, stairway and dragline imports reduced remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 44%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X units) constituted the largest lift, elevator, stairway and dragline supplier to South Africa, accounting for a 64% share of total imports. Moreover, lift, elevator, stairway and dragline imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Italy (X units), fivefold. Germany (X units) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China amounted to -3.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (-11.2% per year) and Germany (-22.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lifts, elevators, moving stairways and draglines to South Africa, comprising 56% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Italy ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Australia, with a 5.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from China totaled -10.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (-1.2% per year) and Australia (+37.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average import price for lifts, elevators, moving stairways and draglines amounted to $X per unit, rising by 391% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per unit in 2016; however, from 2017 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 Australia ($X per unit), while the price for Belgium ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+16.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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