South Africa: Railway Passenger Coach Market 2025

Railway Passenger Coach Market Size in South Africa

After two years of decline, the South African railway passenger coach market decreased by -28.6% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption showed a abrupt contraction. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Railway Passenger Coach Production in South Africa

In value terms, railway passenger coach production stood at less than $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a sharp curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 7.3%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Railway Passenger Coach Exports

Exports from South Africa

After two years of decline, shipments abroad of railway or tramway passenger coaches (not self-propelled) decreased by -30.8% to X units in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 1,875% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X units. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway passenger coach exports declined rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 2,395,604%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Mozambique (X units), Namibia (X units) and Botswana (X units) were the main destinations of railway passenger coach exports from South Africa, together accounting for 44% of total exports. Moreover, railway passenger coach exports in Mozambique exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest exporter, Namibia, twofold.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +7.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mozambique ($X) remains the key foreign market for railway or tramway passenger coaches (not self-propelled) exports from South Africa, comprising 93% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Angola ($X), with a 6.5% share of total exports. It was followed by Zimbabwe, with a 0.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Mozambique totaled +39.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Angola (+24.5% per year) and Zimbabwe (+0.4% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average railway passenger coach export price amounted to $X per unit, dropping by -27.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 1,368,874%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum at $X per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Zambia ($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 Mozambique (+30.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Railway Passenger Coach Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, overseas purchases of railway or tramway passenger coaches (not self-propelled) decreased by -87.5% to X units, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports recorded a sharp curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 6,520%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, railway passenger coach imports fell significantly to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a significant contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 1,384,586%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the UK (X units) was the main railway passenger coach supplier to South Africa, with a approx. 100% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from the UK stood at -17.7%.

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of railway or tramway passenger coaches (not self-propelled) to South Africa.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the UK stood at -68.9%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average railway passenger coach import price amounted to $X per unit, which is down by 99.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a sharp downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 20,817%. The import price peaked at $X per unit in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for the UK.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for Zimbabwe amounted to +41.8% per year.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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