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South Africa - Cotton Sewing Thread - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights
Report Update: Jun 1, 2025

South Africa - Cotton Sewing Thread - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights

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Jun 4, 2024

South Africa's Cotton Sewing Thread Export Plummets to $1.6M in 2023

South Africa Cotton Sewing Thread Exports

In 2023, approx. 326 tons of cotton sewing thread were exported from South Africa; shrinking by -35% against 2022 figures. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 68%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at 625 tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton sewing thread exports reduced rapidly to $1.6M (IndexBox estimates) in 2023. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed slight growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $2.7M in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.South Africa Cotton Sewing Thread Exports By Country (Thousand USD)

COUNTRYExport Value of Cotton Sewing Thread in South Africa (thousand USD)
20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
Lesotho3913553724098291,1541,4546751,1791,310831
Botswana192268195188202580205180186223235
Swaziland228351333283480370308249255297176
Namibia27015314615117520917612515815999.5
Zimbabwe12.738.251.941.211791.171.767.568.911070.5
United StatesN/A2.0N/A0.2N/A0.917.759.173.273.128.5
Tanzania0.10.57.638.32.53.11.433.424.424.327.4
Mozambique11813267.179.011689.314079.639.132.927.0
Others10661.452.467.719020111487.710764.258.5
Total1,3171,3621,2251,2572,1112,6982,4881,5562,0912,2921,553

Exports by Country

Lesotho (194 tons) was the main destination for cotton sewing thread exports from South Africa, accounting for a 59% share of total exports. Moreover, cotton sewing thread exports to Lesotho exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Botswana (55 tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Zimbabwe (28 tons), with an 8.5% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Lesotho totaled +6.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Botswana (+3.8% per year) and Zimbabwe (+25.0% per year).

In value terms, Lesotho ($831K) remains the key foreign market for cotton sewing thread exports from South Africa, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Botswana ($235K), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by Swaziland, with an 11% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value to Lesotho stood at +7.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Botswana (+2.1% per year) and Swaziland (-2.6% per year).

Exports by Type

Cotton; sewing thread, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale (270 tons) was the largest type of cotton sewing thread exported from South Africa, with a 83% share of total exports. Moreover, cotton; sewing thread, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale exceeded the volume of the second product type, cotton; sewing thread, put up for retail sale (29 tons), ninefold.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of cotton; sewing thread, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale exports stood at +6.1%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: cotton; sewing thread, put up for retail sale (-8.7% per year) and cotton; sewing thread, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale (-10.0% per year).

In value terms, cotton; sewing thread, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale ($1.2M) remains the largest type of cotton sewing thread exported from South Africa, comprising 74% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by cotton; sewing thread, put up for retail sale ($264K), with a 17% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of cotton; sewing thread, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale exports totaled +7.0%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: cotton; sewing thread, put up for retail sale (-2.9% per year) and cotton; sewing thread, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, not put up for retail sale (-9.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the cotton sewing thread price amounted to $4,760 per ton (FOB, South Africa), with an increase of 4.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 45% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $6,322 per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2023, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($8,532 per ton), while the average price for exports to Zimbabwe ($2,539 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Mozambique (+3.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the cotton sewing thread 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 13106200 - Cotton sewing thread

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:

  1. How to diversify your business and benefit from new market opportunities
  2. How to load your idle production capacity
  3. How to boost your sales on overseas markets
  4. How to increase your profit margins
  5. How to make your supply chain more sustainable
  6. How to reduce your production and supply chain costs
  7. How to outsource production to other countries
  8. 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. 1. INTRODUCTION

    Making Data-Driven Decisions to Grow Your Business

    1. REPORT DESCRIPTION
    2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND THE AI PLATFORM
    3. DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS
    4. GLOSSARY AND SPECIFIC TERMS

  2. 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    A Quick Overview of Market Performance

    1. KEY FINDINGS
    2. MARKET TRENDSThis Chapter is Available Only for the Professional EditionPRO

  3. 3. MARKET OVERVIEW

    Understanding the Current State of The Market and its Prospects

    1. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. MARKET STRUCTURE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    3. TRADE BALANCE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    4. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    5. MARKET FORECAST TO 2035

  4. 4. MOST PROMISING PRODUCTS FOR DIVERSIFICATION

    Finding New Products to Diversify Your Business

    1. TOP PRODUCTS TO DIVERSIFY YOUR BUSINESS
    2. BEST-SELLING PRODUCTS
    3. MOST CONSUMED PRODUCTS
    4. MOST TRADED PRODUCTS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE PRODUCTS FOR EXPORTS

  5. 5. MOST PROMISING SUPPLYING COUNTRIES

    Choosing the Best Countries to Establish Your Sustainable Supply Chain

    1. TOP COUNTRIES TO SOURCE YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP PRODUCING COUNTRIES
    3. TOP EXPORTING COUNTRIES
    4. LOW-COST EXPORTING COUNTRIES

  6. 6. MOST PROMISING OVERSEAS MARKETS

    Choosing the Best Countries to Boost Your Export

    1. TOP OVERSEAS MARKETS FOR EXPORTING YOUR PRODUCT
    2. TOP CONSUMING MARKETS
    3. UNSATURATED MARKETS
    4. TOP IMPORTING MARKETS
    5. MOST PROFITABLE MARKETS

  7. 7. PRODUCTION

    The Latest Trends and Insights into The Industry

    1. PRODUCTION VOLUME AND VALUE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)

  8. 8. IMPORTS

    The Largest Import Supplying Countries

    1. IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  9. 9. EXPORTS

    The Largest Destinations for Exports

    1. EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035)
    2. EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)
    3. EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024)

  10. 10. PROFILES OF MAJOR PRODUCERS

    The Largest Producers on The Market and Their Profiles

  11. LIST OF TABLES

    1. Key Findings In 2024
    2. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    6. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    7. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    8. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    9. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    10. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

  12. LIST OF FIGURES

    1. Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    2. Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    3. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    4. Market Structure – Domestic Supply vs. Imports, in Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    5. Trade Balance, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    6. Trade Balance, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    7. Per Capita Consumption: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    8. Market Volume Forecast to 2035
    9. Market Value Forecast to 2035
    10. Market Size and Growth, By Product
    11. Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product
    12. Exports and Growth, By Product
    13. Export Prices and Growth, By Product
    14. Production Volume and Growth
    15. Exports and Growth
    16. Export Prices and Growth
    17. Market Size and Growth
    18. Per Capita Consumption
    19. Imports and Growth
    20. Import Prices
    21. Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    22. Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    23. Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    24. Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    25. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    26. Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    27. Imports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    28. Import Prices, By Country, 2012–2024
    29. Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    30. Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035)
    31. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024
    32. Exports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    33. Exports, In Value Terms, By Country, 2012–2024
    34. Export Prices, By Country, 2012–2024

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