Africa: Men Knitwear Market 2025

Men Knitwear Market Size in Africa

For the fourth year in a row, the African men knitwear market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 2.1% to $X in 2022. In general, consumption saw resilient growth. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Men Knitwear Production in Africa

In value terms, men knitwear production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a prominent increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 45%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Men Knitwear Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of men's or boys' clothing (knitted or crocheted) increased by 7.4% to X units, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, exports, however, recorded a pronounced slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 24%. The volume of export peaked at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, men knitwear exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 36%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The biggest shipments were from Egypt (X units), Kenya (X units), Morocco (X units), Madagascar (X units) and South Africa (X units), together resulting at 87% of total export. The following exporters - Lesotho (X units) and Tunisia (X units) - each finished at a 7.9% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Madagascar (with a CAGR of +13.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest men knitwear supplier in Africa, comprising 35% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Morocco ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Kenya, with a 12% share.

In Egypt, men knitwear exports expanded at an average annual rate of +9.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Morocco (-9.5% per year) and Kenya (+8.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Africa stood at $X per unit in 2022, picking up by 21% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.7%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 ($X per unit), while Kenya ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Egypt (+15.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Men Knitwear Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, purchases abroad of men's or boys' clothing (knitted or crocheted) decreased by -4.5% to X units for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% 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 2015 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X units in 2021, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, men knitwear imports expanded notably to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% 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 2015 when imports increased by 22%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

Kenya (X units), Algeria (X units) and South Africa (X units) represented roughly 51% of total imports in 2022. Libya (X units) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Cameroon (X units). All these countries together held approx. 12% share of total imports. The following importers - Cote d'Ivoire (X units), Djibouti (X units), Ghana (X units), Sudan (X units), Madagascar (X units), Angola (X units), Guinea (X units) and Morocco (X units) - together made up 24% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Morocco (with a CAGR of +14.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Algeria ($X) and Kenya ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 39% share of total imports. Libya, Djibouti, Angola, Morocco, Sudan, Cameroon, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Madagascar and Guinea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

Cote d'Ivoire, with a CAGR of +19.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in Africa amounted to $X per unit, rising by 18% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 19%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per unit. From 2017 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Angola ($X per unit), while Cameroon ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Angola (+9.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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