Africa: Baby Garment Market 2025

Baby Garment Market Size in Africa

The African baby garment market contracted modestly to $X in 2022, almost unchanged from the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Baby Garment Production in Africa

In value terms, baby garment production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Baby Garment Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, baby garment exports in Africa rose to X units, with an increase of 4.9% compared with the previous year. Total exports indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +73.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 66% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, baby garment exports rose remarkably to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +78.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 68% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Ethiopia (X units) and Egypt (X units) represented the key exporters of babies’ garments and clothing accessories (knitted or crocheted) in Africa, together achieving 65% of total exports. South Africa (X units) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Tunisia (X units) and Morocco (X units). All these countries together held near 27% share of total exports. Madagascar (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Ethiopia (with a CAGR of +70.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest baby garment supplying countries in Africa were Ethiopia ($X), Egypt ($X) and Tunisia ($X), with a combined 70% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Ethiopia, with a CAGR of +71.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per unit, standing approx. at the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the export price increased by 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per unit in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per unit), while Egypt ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+5.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Baby Garment Imports

Imports in Africa

Baby garment imports declined to X units in 2022, waning by -9.8% against 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, baby garment imports shrank sharply to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 39% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then contracted dramatically in the following year.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the key importer of babies’ garments and clothing accessories (knitted or crocheted) in Africa, with the volume of imports amounting to X units, which was near 43% of total imports in 2022. Libya (X units) took a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Algeria (7.5%). Morocco (X units), Senegal (X units), Tanzania (X units), Nigeria (X units), Egypt (X units), Namibia (X units), Rwanda (X units) and Botswana (X units) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to baby garment imports into South Africa stood at +2.8%. At the same time, Rwanda (+35.5%), Senegal (+31.7%), Tanzania (+22.8%), Libya (+14.3%), Algeria (+12.2%), Nigeria (+11.2%), Egypt (+9.7%), Morocco (+7.8%) and Namibia (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Rwanda emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +35.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Botswana (-18.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Libya (+8.9 p.p.), South Africa (+5.3 p.p.), Algeria (+4.7 p.p.), Senegal (+3.3 p.p.), Tanzania (+2.9 p.p.), Rwanda (+2.2 p.p.), Nigeria (+2 p.p.), Morocco (+1.8 p.p.) and Egypt (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Botswana (-14.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported babies’ garments and clothing accessories (knitted or crocheted) in Africa, comprising 47% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Morocco ($X), with a 7.9% share of total imports. It was followed by Libya, with a 7.3% share.

In South Africa, baby garment imports increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Morocco (+6.8% per year) and Libya (+5.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per unit, with a decrease of -13% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 18% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per unit, and then fell in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per unit), while Senegal ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Botswana (+19.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform