Africa: Knitted Fabric Market 2025

Knitted Fabric Market Size in Africa

The African knitted fabric market expanded significantly to $X in 2021, picking up by 13% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Knitted Fabric Production in Africa

In value terms, knitted fabric production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Knitted Fabric Exports

Exports in Africa

Knitted fabric exports skyrocketed to X tons in 2021, increasing by 47% compared with the previous year's figure. Total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 48%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, knitted fabric exports surged to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +39.7% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports by Country

Mauritius represented the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which reached 37% of total exports. Egypt (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by South Africa (X tons), Rwanda (X tons), Swaziland (X tons), Morocco (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 57% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to knitted fabric exports from Mauritius stood at +9.4%. At the same time, Rwanda (+191.4%), Egypt (+35.2%), Tanzania (+16.4%), Swaziland (+16.2%) and Morocco (+6.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Rwanda emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +191.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, South Africa (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Egypt, Rwanda, Mauritius, Swaziland and Tanzania increased by +12, +12, +7, +5.1 and +2.5 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest knitted fabric supplying countries in Africa were Mauritius ($X), Egypt ($X) and South Africa ($X), with a combined 70% share of total exports. Morocco, Swaziland, Tanzania and Rwanda lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 25%.

Among the main exporting countries, Rwanda, with a CAGR of +152.9%, saw 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

The export price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, reducing by -14.4% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 44%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then contracted in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Morocco ($X per ton), while Rwanda ($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 (+5.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Knitted Fabric Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2021, knitted fabric imports in Africa reached X tons, with an increase of 15% against 2020. In general, imports recorded a buoyant increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, knitted fabric imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% 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 increased by +72.9% against 2015 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Morocco (X tons) was the major importer of knitted or crocheted fabrics, achieving 29% of total imports. South Africa (X tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Algeria (10%), Egypt (9.7%), Tunisia (7.6%), Kenya (6%) and Madagascar (5.5%). The following importers - Lesotho (X tons), Djibouti (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Libya (X tons) - together made up 9.4% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to knitted fabric imports into Morocco stood at +11.4%. At the same time, Ghana (+27.4%), Djibouti (+20.3%), Madagascar (+12.0%), South Africa (+10.2%), Kenya (+9.2%), Algeria (+9.1%), Egypt (+8.8%), Libya (+7.9%) and Tunisia (+5.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ghana emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Africa, with a CAGR of +27.4% from 2012-2021. Lesotho experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Morocco and Ghana increased by +4.8 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Morocco ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported knitted or crocheted fabrics in Africa, comprising 33% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tunisia ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Egypt, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Morocco amounted to +6.4%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Tunisia (+1.9% per year) and Egypt (+11.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, surging by 8.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a noticeable contraction. Over the period under review, import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Tunisia ($X per ton), while Algeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Djibouti (+3.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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