Africa: Cotton Sewing Thread Market 2025

Cotton Sewing Thread Market Size in Africa

The African cotton sewing thread market dropped slightly to $X in 2021, remaining stable against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Sewing Thread Production in Africa

In value terms, cotton sewing thread production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Sewing Thread Exports

Exports in Africa

Cotton sewing thread exports amounted to X tons in 2021, picking up by 15% on the year before. In general, exports enjoyed tangible growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 223% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton sewing thread exports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Egypt (X tons), distantly followed by Mali (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Lesotho (X tons), Malawi (X tons) and Tunisia (X tons) represented the main exporters of cotton sewing thread, together committing 88% of total exports. Ethiopia (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Lesotho (with a CAGR of +48.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest cotton sewing thread supplier in Africa, comprising 61% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Lesotho, with an 8.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Egypt stood at -3.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Africa (+3.8% per year) and Lesotho (+34.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, waning by -1.6% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a pronounced shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 139%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while Mali ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+1.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cotton Sewing Thread Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, supplies from abroad of cotton sewing thread decreased by -22.8% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after four years of growth. Total imports indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -31.0% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 44% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton sewing thread imports expanded sharply to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Nigeria represented the major importer of cotton sewing thread in Africa, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was near 35% of total imports in 2021. Burkina Faso (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Lesotho (4.9%), Algeria (4.9%), Kenya (4.8%), Botswana (4.6%) and Swaziland (4.6%). Morocco (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Gambia (X tons), Ghana (X tons), Tanzania (X tons) and Senegal (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Nigeria increased at an average annual rate of +14.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Swaziland (+28.2%), Gambia (+22.3%), Lesotho (+19.6%), Burkina Faso (+15.5%), Botswana (+14.5%), Ghana (+3.1%) and Kenya (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Swaziland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +28.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Tanzania (-4.3%), Tunisia (-7.1%), Morocco (-7.4%), Algeria (-7.8%) and Senegal (-17.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Nigeria (+23 p.p.), Burkina Faso (+7.3 p.p.), Swaziland (+4 p.p.), Lesotho (+3.8 p.p.), Botswana (+3.1 p.p.) and Gambia (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Tunisia (-3.8 p.p.), Morocco (-5.1 p.p.), Algeria (-6.5 p.p.) and Senegal (-9.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Nigeria ($X), Morocco ($X) and Tunisia ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 39% share of total imports. Kenya, Swaziland, Lesotho, Algeria, Botswana, Gambia, Tanzania, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Senegal lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 42%.

Among the main importing countries, Gambia, with a CAGR of +27.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a perceptible shrinkage. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while Burkina Faso ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+11.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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