South Africa - Wheelchairs - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights
Get instant access to more than 2 million reports, dashboards, and datasets on the IndexBox Platform.
View PricingImport of Wheelchairs From South Africa Surges to $4.4M in 2023
South Africa Wheelchair Imports
In 2023, approx. 59K units of wheelchairs were imported into South Africa; picking up by 5.3% on 2022. In general, total imports indicated a temperate expansion from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, imports decreased by -4.0% against 2021 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 55%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 73K units. From 2015 to 2023, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, wheelchair imports amounted to $4.4M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 31%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $5.9M. From 2019 to 2023, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.
| COUNTRY | Import Value of Wheelchair in South Africa (thousand USD) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| China | 2,116 | 2,952 | 2,701 | 2,867 | 2,375 | 3,575 | 3,033 | 2,714 | 3,706 | 3,248 | 3,070 |
| Taiwan (Chinese) | 1,012 | 1,108 | 912 | 874 | 834 | 882 | 621 | 344 | 283 | 197 | 245 |
| Germany | 239 | 391 | 434 | 396 | 398 | 231 | 156 | 140 | 312 | 198 | 219 |
| Poland | 1.5 | N/A | 3.0 | 12.3 | 42.5 | 59.0 | 113 | 67.3 | 94.9 | 57.2 | 189 |
| Italy | 43.6 | 37.0 | 68.6 | 90.3 | 56.2 | 111 | 109 | 63.2 | 47.1 | 84.7 | 147 |
| France | 112 | 27.2 | 26.2 | 29.2 | 76.3 | 185 | 81.5 | 33.6 | 28.1 | 45.5 | 114 |
| Sweden | 111 | 76.0 | 7.1 | 14.6 | 83.4 | 124 | 140 | 80.2 | 106 | 75.2 | 106 |
| United Kingdom | 304 | 211 | 324 | 193 | 273 | 318 | 308 | 235 | 127 | 112 | 70.2 |
| United States | 191 | 255 | 243 | 195 | 136 | 189 | 148 | 98.9 | 78.7 | 73.8 | 50.2 |
| Others | 335 | 386 | 180 | 240 | 254 | 265 | 289 | 222 | 316 | 220 | 208 |
| Total | 4,464 | 5,443 | 4,899 | 4,912 | 4,528 | 5,938 | 4,999 | 3,999 | 5,098 | 4,311 | 4,417 |
Imports by Country
In 2023, China (44K units) constituted the largest supplier of wheelchair to South Africa, accounting for a 75% share of total imports. Moreover, wheelchair imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Taiwan (Chinese) (2.6K units), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the UK (1.6K units), with a 2.8% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled +13.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (-15.8% per year) and the UK (-12.1% per year).
In value terms, China ($3.1M) constituted the largest supplier of wheelchairs to South Africa, comprising 69% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Taiwan (Chinese) ($245K), with a 5.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 5% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value from China stood at +3.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (-13.2% per year) and Germany (-0.9% per year).
Imports by Type
Invalid carriages not mechanically propelled (33K units) and invalid carriages motorised or mechanically propelled (18K units) were the main products of wheelchair imports to South Africa.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the major product types, was attained by invalid carriages motorised or mechanically propelled (with a CAGR of +0.3%).
In value terms, invalid carriages not mechanically propelled ($3.1M) constituted the largest type of wheelchairs supplied to South Africa, comprising 70% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by invalid carriages motorised or mechanically propelled ($1.3M), with a 30% share of total imports.
Import Prices by Country
In 2023, the wheelchair price amounted to $75 per unit (CIF, South Africa), falling by -2.7% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 50%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $156 per unit. From 2019 to 2023, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($94 per unit), while the price for the UK ($43 per unit) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.
This report provides an in-depth analysis of the wheelchair market in South Africa. Within it, you will discover the latest data on market trends and opportunities by country, consumption, production and price developments, as well as the global trade (imports and exports). The forecast exhibits the market prospects through 2030.
Product coverage:
- Prodcom 30922030 - Invalid carriages not mechanically propelled
- Prodcom 30922090 - Invalid carriages motorised or mechanically propelled
Country coverage:
- South Africa
Data coverage:
- Market volume and value
- Per Capita consumption
- Forecast of the market dynamics in the medium term
- Trade (exports and imports) in South Africa
- Export and import prices
- Market trends, drivers and restraints
- Key market players and their profiles
Reasons to buy this report:
- Take advantage of the latest data
- Find deeper insights into current market developments
- Discover vital success factors affecting the market
This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.
In this report, you can find information that helps you to make informed decisions on the following issues:
- How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
- How to load your idle production capacity
- How to boost your sales on overseas markets
- How to increase your profit margins
- How to make your supply chain more sustainable
- How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
- How to outsource production to other countries
- How to prepare your business for global expansion
While doing this research, we combine the accumulated expertise of our analysts and the capabilities of artificial intelligence. The AI-based platform, developed by our data scientists, constitutes the key working tool for business analysts, empowering them to discover deep insights and ideas from the marketing data.
-
1. INTRODUCTION
Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business
- REPORT DESCRIPTION
- RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND AI PLATFORM
- DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS
-
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A Quick Overview of Market Performance
- KEY FINDINGS
- MARKET TRENDS This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO
-
3. MARKET OVERVIEW
Understanding the Current State of The Market and Its Prospects
- MARKET SIZE
- MARKET STRUCTURE
- TRADE BALANCE
- PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
- MARKET FORECAST TO 2030
-
4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCT
Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
- BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
- MOST CONSUMED PRODUCT
- MOST TRADED PRODUCT
- MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCT FOR EXPORT
-
5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES
Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
- TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
- LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES
-
6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS
Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Exports
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO- TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
- TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
- UNSATURATED MARKETS
- TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
- MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS
7. PRODUCTION
The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry
- PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE
8. IMPORTS
The Largest Import Supplying Countries
- IMPORTS FROM 2012–2023
- IMPORTS BY COUNTRY
- IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
9. EXPORTS
The Largest Destinations for Exports
- EXPORTS FROM 2012–2023
- EXPORTS BY COUNTRY
- EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY
-
10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS
The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles
This Chapter is Available Only for the Professional Edition PRO -
LIST OF TABLES
- Key Findings In 2023
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2023
- Market Value, 2012–2023
- Per Capita Consumption In 2012-2023
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2023
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2023
- Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2023
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2023
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2023
- Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2023
-
LIST OF FIGURES
- Market Volume, In Physical Terms, 2012–2023
- Market Value, 2012–2023
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012-2023
- Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, In Value Terms, 2012-2023
- Trade Balance, In Physical Terms, 2012-2023
- Trade Balance, In Value Terms, 2012-2023
- Per Capita Consumption, 2012-2023
- Market Volume Forecast to 2030
- Market Value Forecast to 2030
- Products: Market Size And Growth, By Type
- Products: Average Per Capita Consumption, By Type
- Products: Exports And Growth, By Type
- Products: Export Prices And Growth, By Type
- Production Volume And Growth
- Exports And Growth
- Export Prices And Growth
- Market Size And Growth
- Per Capita Consumption
- Imports And Growth
- Import Prices
- Production, In Physical Terms, 2012–2023
- Production, In Value Terms, 2012–2023
- Imports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2023
- Imports, In Value Terms, 2012–2023
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2023
- Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2023
- Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2023
- Import Prices, By Country Of Origin, 2012–2023
- Exports, In Physical Terms, 2012–2023
- Exports, In Value Terms, 2012–2023
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2023
- Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2023
- Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2023
- Export Prices, By Country Of Destination, 2012–2023
