South Africa: Container Market 2024

Container Market Size in South Africa

The South African container market amounted to $X in 2022, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Container Production in South Africa

In value terms, container production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Container production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Container Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, container exports from South Africa contracted to X units, shrinking by -7.9% compared with 2021 figures. In general, exports continue to indicate a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, container exports fell markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports showed a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X units) was the main destination for container exports from South Africa, with a 41% share of total exports. Moreover, container exports to Namibia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zimbabwe (X units), threefold. Mozambique (X units) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Namibia amounted to -7.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zimbabwe (+11.1% per year) and Mozambique (+12.3% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for container exported from South Africa were Zambia ($X), Namibia ($X) and Mozambique ($X), with a combined 52% share of total exports.

Zambia, with a CAGR of +17.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average container export price amounted to $X per unit, shrinking by -19.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a perceptible decrease. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average export price increased by 27% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2015 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Angola ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Namibia (less than $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 Angola (+0.1%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Container Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, the amount of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers imported into South Africa dropped to X units, waning by -11.5% on the year before. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a mild expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 50%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X units. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, container imports reduced to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 41%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X units) constituted the largest supplier of container to South Africa, with a 38% share of total imports. Moreover, container imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Thailand (X units), twofold. India (X units) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China totaled +2.1%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Thailand (-0.9% per year) and India (+6.9% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers to South Africa, comprising 33% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Thailand ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by India, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from China totaled +1.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Thailand (-0.8% per year) and India (+6.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average container import price stood at $X per unit in 2022, rising by 6.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 18% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Turkey ($X per unit), while the price for Botswana (less than $X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Jordan (+3.8%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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