Australia’s x-ray generator market is poised for moderate long-term growth, despite recent setbacks in consumption and imports. Industry projections anticipate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.5% between 2024 and 2035, with market volume expected to reach 2,800 tons and market value climbing to $757 million by 2035.
Consumption Trends
After three consecutive years of growth, x-ray generator consumption in Australia fell by 8.1% in 2024 to 2,400 tons, down from a peak of 2,600 tons in 2023. In value terms, the market declined 1.9% year-over-year, dropping to $641 million in 2024. While the market has shown long-term expansion, consumption remains below the 2022 peak of $741 million.
Production Holds Steady
Australia’s domestic production of x-ray generators remained steady at 2,300 tons in 2024. Production peaked at 2,400 tons in 2022, following a notable surge in 2019 when output grew by 76%. In value terms, production reached $671 million in 2024, slightly below the record $678 million in 2022. Overall, production has followed a consistent upward trajectory in recent years.
Sharp Drop in Imports
Imports of x-ray generators into Australia fell dramatically in 2024, plunging 77.8% to just 69 tons. This marked a significant reversal following three years of growth. Despite the volume decline, the value of imports surged to $296 million, indicating higher unit prices and a shift toward higher-value goods.
Key suppliers included the United States (86 tons), Germany (73 tons), and Japan (44 tons), which together accounted for 66% of Australia’s x-ray generator imports. China, the UK, France, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Taiwan (Chinese) made up an additional 25%.
In terms of value, the U.S. led with $29 million in exports to Australia, followed by Germany ($25 million) and Japan ($14 million). Taiwan (Chinese) saw the fastest value growth among suppliers, with a CAGR of 30.3% over the review period.
Import Prices Rise
The average import price of x-ray generators rose to $328,359 per ton in 2023, marking a 5.8% increase over the previous year. While prices peaked at $329,835 per ton in 2018, they have struggled to regain momentum in recent years. Notably, South Korea and Germany supplied the highest-priced units in 2023, averaging $363,522 and $336,741 per ton, respectively.
China recorded the most significant long-term price growth, with an average annual increase of 28.4% from 2013 to 2023.
Exports Contract but Value Surges
Australia’s x-ray generator exports declined by 13.2% in 2024 to 22 tons, marking the second straight year of falling volumes. Export volumes have been in long-term decline since peaking at 187 tons in 2013. However, the value of exports surged in 2024 to $24 million, more than doubling since 2020. This reflects the ongoing shift toward higher-value products.
Major export destinations included Singapore (9.9 tons), the United States (8.1 tons), and Peru (5.1 tons), accounting for 92% of total export volume. Other destinations included New Zealand, India, China, Japan, South Africa, and Germany.
In value terms, Singapore ($3.4 million), the U.S. ($3 million), and Peru ($1.6 million) were the top markets. China stood out with a CAGR of 39.7% in export value growth over the review period.
Export Prices Soar
The average export price for Australian x-ray generators surged to $709,341 per ton in 2023—a 123% increase year-over-year and the highest on record. The Netherlands and Germany were the top-paying export markets, with average prices of $390,603 and $388,778 per ton, respectively.
Between 2013 and 2023, export prices to the Netherlands recorded the most notable growth at a CAGR of 27.8%.
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