South Africa: Market for Plastics Pipes And Pipe Fittings 2025

Market Size for Plastics Pipes And Pipe Fittings in South Africa

The South African market for plastics pipes and pipe fittings dropped to $X in 2022, falling by -5.9% against the previous year. Overall, the total consumption indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -23.3% against 2018 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Plastics Pipes And Pipe Fittings in South Africa

In value terms, plastics pipe and pipe fitting production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +3.5% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 35% against the previous year. Plastics pipe and pipe fitting production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Plastics Pipes And Pipe Fittings

Exports from South Africa

For the third consecutive year, South Africa recorded growth in shipments abroad of plastics pipes and pipe fittings, which increased by 12% to X tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastics pipe and pipe fitting exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a mild increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Botswana (X tons) were the main destinations of plastics pipe and pipe fitting exports from South Africa, together comprising 47% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Zimbabwe (with a CAGR of +11.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for plastics pipe and pipe fitting exported from South Africa were Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), Zimbabwe ($X) and Zambia ($X), together accounting for 41% of total exports.

Among the main countries of destination, Zimbabwe, with a CAGR of +9.9%, 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 plastics pipes and pipe fittings stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 4.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 16% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Botswana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Zambia (+0.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Plastics Pipes And Pipe Fittings

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of plastics pipes and pipe fittings decreased by -26.9% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports recorded a mild shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 40%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastics pipe and pipe fitting imports shrank to $X in 2022. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Botswana (X tons) constituted the largest plastics pipe and pipe fitting supplier to South Africa, with a 47% share of total imports. Moreover, plastics pipe and pipe fitting imports from Botswana exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), twofold. Italy (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Botswana amounted to +4.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (+4.5% per year) and Italy (-5.1% per year).

In value terms, Botswana ($X), China ($X) and Italy ($X) appeared to be the largest plastics pipe and pipe fitting suppliers to South Africa, together comprising 53% of total imports. Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Israel, the UK and India lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Switzerland, with a CAGR of +12.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers 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 import price for plastics pipes and pipe fittings amounted to $X per ton, jumping by 17% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 42%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 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 the UK ($X per ton), while the price for Botswana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+14.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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