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What is the size and number of companies in the South African residential & office moving industry?
Hello! Thanks for your question about the size and number of companies in the South African residential and office moving industry. The short answer is that the South African moving industry is worth around $192m per year, and there are at least 74 companies operating in the industry.
Below you will find a deep dive of my findings.
METHODOLOGY
To answer this question I conducted an extensive media review, and a specific investigation of South African government statistics and any mover associations, such as the Professional Movers Association.
MARKET SIZE
Every year Statistics South Africa releases its quarterly land transport survey, which includes the movement of used residential and office goods.
For the 2015 and 2016, the results are as follows in South African rand and USD at today's exchange rate:
Total 2015: R2.53bn
Total 2015 (in USD): $192.66m
Total 2016: R2.52bn
Total 2016 (in USD): $191.9m
TOTAL NUMBER OF FIRMS
Getting an estimate of the total number of firms was particularly challenging, as there is very little information available for this, so I was required to make an estimate.
According to the Transport Education Training Authority, there are approximately 3000 firms in the road freight industry in South Africa; however, many of these will be doing business other than residential or office movement.
The total income of road freight transportation in 2016 was R91.14bn, of which of R2.52bn / R91.14bn = 2.76% is from the movement of used household and office products. If we apply this percentage to the total number of road transport firms, we get 83 moving companies.
I suspect that there are likely more than 83 moving companies in South Africa; however, unfortunately I was unable to find any more definitive statistics or methods for estimation. That said, there are only 74 companies that have received Accredited Movers of South Africa status from the Professional Movers Association, so it is entirely possible there are not a huge number of additional movers.
CONCLUSION
To wrap it up, the office and residential moving industry in South Africa is worth around $192m per year, with at least 74 companies operating, although this number is likely somewhat higher.
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