South Africa: Memories Market 2025

Memories Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, after four years of decline, there was significant growth in the South African memories market, when its value increased by 7.4% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, saw a deep downturn. Memories consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Memories Production in South Africa

In value terms, memories production rose markedly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a abrupt descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 25%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Memories Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, approx. X units of multichip integrated circuits: memories were exported from South Africa; rising by 123% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports, however, faced a significant decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 229% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, memories exports reduced sharply to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 225%. The exports peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Finland (X units) was the main destination for memories exports from South Africa, with a 78% share of total exports. Moreover, memories exports to Finland exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United States (X units), ninefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Mozambique (X units), with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Finland totaled +187.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+48.5% per year) and Mozambique (-17.3% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for memories exported from South Africa were the Netherlands ($X), the United States ($X) and Mozambique ($X), with a combined 36% share of total exports. Finland, Germany, Namibia and Swaziland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 5.9%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Finland, with a CAGR of +130.6%, saw 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

In 2021, the average memories export price amounted to $X per unit, with a decrease of -86.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 176%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per unit in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Finland ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Swaziland (+53.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Memories Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, the amount of multichip integrated circuits: memories imported into South Africa declined to X units, flattening at 2020. Overall, imports recorded a abrupt descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, memories imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw a deep setback. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Thailand (X units), Taiwan (Chinese) (X units) and China (X units) were the main suppliers of memories imports to South Africa, with a combined 74% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Thailand (with a CAGR of +16.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) constituted the largest supplier of multichip integrated circuits: memories to South Africa, comprising 41% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 14% share of total imports. It was followed by Thailand, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Taiwan (Chinese) amounted to +17.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+0.4% per year) and Thailand (-4.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average memories import price stood at $X per unit in 2021, surging by 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed resilient growth. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+38.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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