Africa's Knives and Cutting Blades Market to Experience 1.7% CAGR Growth, Reaching 20K Tons by 2035 - News and Statistics - IndexBox

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IndexBox has just published a new report: Africa - Knives And Cutting Blades (For Machines Or For Mechanical Appliances) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.

Driven by rising demand, the African market for knives and cutting blades is expected to see a continuous upward consumption trend. Projections show a growth in market volume to 20K tons and market value to $408M by the end of 2035, with anticipated CAGRs of +1.7% and +3.1% respectively.

Driven by increasing demand for knives and cutting blades (for machines or for mechanical appliances) in Africa, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.7% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 20K tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $408M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

In 2024, approx. 17K tons of knives and cutting blades (for machines or for mechanical appliances) were consumed in Africa; growing by 7.6% against 2023 figures. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The volume of consumption peaked at 18K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The size of the cutting blade market in Africa reached $293M in 2024, growing by 4.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $296M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Niger (2.1K tons), Malawi (1.8K tons) and Somalia (1.5K tons), with a combined 32% share of total consumption. Rwanda, Benin, Togo, Nigeria, Eritrea, South Africa and Gambia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Gambia (with a CAGR of +9.0%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Niger ($70M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Eritrea ($26M). It was followed by Malawi.

In Niger, the cutting blade market increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Eritrea (+3.0% per year) and Malawi (+5.2% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of cutting blade per capita consumption in 2024 were Eritrea (197 kg per 1000 persons), Gambia (186 kg per 1000 persons) and Togo (112 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Gambia (with a CAGR of +5.9%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, approx. 10K tons of knives and cutting blades (for machines or for mechanical appliances) were produced in Africa; increasing by 5.7% against the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 11K tons. From 2023 to 2024, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cutting blade production rose significantly to $208M in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $231M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Niger (2.1K tons), Somalia (1.5K tons) and Malawi (1.3K tons), together accounting for 49% of total production. Rwanda, Benin, Togo, Eritrea and Gambia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 47%.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Gambia (with a CAGR of +10.1%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, purchases abroad of knives and cutting blades (for machines or for mechanical appliances) increased by 8% to 7.7K tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 10K tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cutting blade imports contracted to $93M in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2023 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $98M, and then declined in the following year.

In 2024, South Africa (1.3K tons), followed by Nigeria (732 tons), Kenya (461 tons), Malawi (428 tons), Algeria (407 tons), Angola (399 tons) and Zimbabwe (365 tons) were the major importers of knives and cutting blades (for machines or for mechanical appliances), together making up 52% of total imports. Ghana (297 tons), Uganda (279 tons) and Egypt (243 tons) held a little share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Malawi (with a CAGR of +21.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($23M), Egypt ($17M) and Nigeria ($4.9M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, together accounting for 48% of total imports. Algeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Angola, Zimbabwe and Malawi lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 15%.

Uganda, with a CAGR of +6.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, the import price in Africa amounted to $12,065 per ton, with a decrease of -12% against the previous year. Import price indicated slight growth from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 43%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $13,980 per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($70,226 per ton), while Malawi ($1,575 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+14.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, approx. 890 tons of knives and cutting blades (for machines or for mechanical appliances) were exported in Africa; declining by -7.8% compared with the previous year. Overall, exports, however, showed a mild expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 57%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 1.1K tons. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cutting blade exports expanded sharply to $12M in 2024. Total exports indicated notable growth from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports increased by +98.7% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 41%. The level of export peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

South Africa dominates exports structure, resulting at 735 tons, which was near 83% of total exports in 2024. It was distantly followed by Gambia (49 tons), achieving a 5.6% share of total exports. Zimbabwe (39 tons) and Namibia (19 tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of knives and cutting blades (for machines or for mechanical appliances). At the same time, Zimbabwe (+82.9%) and Gambia (+69.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Zimbabwe emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +82.9% from 2013-2024. By contrast, Namibia (-3.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Gambia (+5.5 p.p.) and Zimbabwe (+4.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2013-2024, the share of South Africa (-6.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($8.4M) remains the largest cutting blade supplier in Africa, comprising 69% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Gambia ($1.8M), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 0.8% share.

In South Africa, cutting blade exports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2013-2024. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Gambia (+76.3% per year) and Namibia (+5.8% per year).

In 2024, the export price in Africa amounted to $13,574 per ton, surging by 22% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.6%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 an increase of 25%. The level of export peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Gambia ($36,389 per ton), while Zimbabwe ($1,187 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Namibia (+9.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the cutting blade market in 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.

This report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, importers, and wholesalers, as well as for investors, consultants and advisors.

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The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

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