Africa: Nonwoven Fabric Market 2025

Nonwoven Fabric Market Size in Africa

The African nonwoven fabric market expanded significantly to $X in 2022, surging by 6.6% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +55.9% against 2012 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Nonwoven Fabric Production in Africa

In value terms, nonwoven fabric production expanded notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -7.5% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Nonwoven Fabric Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2022, shipments abroad of nonwoven fabrics decreased by -24.7% to X tons, falling for the fourth consecutive year after seven years of growth. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 92% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, nonwoven fabric exports declined dramatically to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate resilient growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 110%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Egypt represented the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which resulted at 61% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), committing a 30% share of total exports. Morocco (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Egypt increased at an average annual rate of +62.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Morocco (+69.0%) and South Africa (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Morocco emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +69.0% from 2012-2022. Egypt (+60 p.p.) and Morocco (+3.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while South Africa saw its share reduced by -56.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, Egypt ($X) remains the largest nonwoven fabric supplier in Africa, comprising 66% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a 25% share of total exports.

In Egypt, nonwoven fabric exports increased at an average annual rate of +52.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (-0.7% per year) and Morocco (+43.0% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in Africa amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -11.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a mild curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the export price increased by 39% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Egypt ($X per ton), while South Africa ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (-2.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Nonwoven Fabric Imports

Imports in Africa

In 2022, nonwoven fabric imports in Africa reduced modestly to X tons, remaining relatively unchanged against the previous year. Total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +22.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 30%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

In value terms, nonwoven fabric imports contracted modestly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +27.6% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 29%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Algeria (X tons), Egypt (X tons), Morocco (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Tunisia (X tons) and Ghana (X tons) represented the key importer of nonwoven fabrics in Africa, making up 80% of total import. Cote d'Ivoire (X tons), Angola (X tons), Kenya (X tons) and Ethiopia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Angola (with a CAGR of +33.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest nonwoven fabric importing markets in Africa were Algeria ($X), Egypt ($X) and Morocco ($X), together comprising 48% of total imports. South Africa, Tunisia, Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Angola, Kenya and Ethiopia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 42%.

Cote d'Ivoire, with a CAGR of +39.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the import price increased by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Nigeria (+8.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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