Key Market Indicators
South African Prescription Glasses Exports are projected to decline significantly by 2028. The export value is expected to decrease to approximately $42,000, down from $67,000 in 2023, marking an average annual decline of 7.3%. Despite this anticipated downturn, the industry had shown a growth trend from 2005, with a year-on-year increase of 4.8%. In 2023, South Africa ranked 12th globally in prescription glasses exports, with Denmark surpassing it at the same export value of $67,000. Leading the global market were China, France, and Malaysia, taking the second, third, and fourth spots, respectively. In contrast, South African imports of prescription glasses surged in recent years. In 2018, the country imported $4,520 worth of glasses, a substantial increase from $2,900 in 2017—an impressive 55.5% year-on-year rise. However, since 2005, overall demand in South Africa has decreased by an average of 29.6% annually.
