Africa: Cotton Fabric Market 2024

Cotton Fabric Market Size in Africa

In 2021, the African cotton fabric market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Fabric Production in Africa

In value terms, cotton fabric production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a pronounced decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 16%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Fabric Exports

Exports in Africa

In 2021, the amount of woven fabrics of cotton exported in Africa skyrocketed to X tons, increasing by 30% against 2020. Total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -25.8% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 56%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton fabric exports surged to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 38%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Egypt (X tons) was the key exporter of woven fabrics of cotton, committing 35% of total exports. Tunisia (X tons) took a 13% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by South Africa (11%), Niger (10%), Morocco (8.3%) and Benin (4.5%). Lesotho (X tons) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from Egypt increased at an average annual rate of +15.1% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Niger (+16.8%), South Africa (+10.0%) and Lesotho (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Niger emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Africa, with a CAGR of +16.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Benin (-1.7%), Morocco (-2.8%) and Tunisia (-3.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Egypt (+23 p.p.), Niger (+7.1 p.p.) and South Africa (+5.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Benin (-1.8 p.p.), Morocco (-4.5 p.p.) and Tunisia (-7.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest cotton fabric supplying countries in Africa were Egypt ($X), Niger ($X) and Tunisia ($X), with a combined 65% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Niger, with a CAGR of +12.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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, waning by -6.3% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the export price increased by 47%. As a result, the export price attained 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 Niger ($X per ton), while Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+1.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Cotton Fabric Imports

Imports in Africa

Cotton fabric imports surged to X tons in 2021, jumping by 27% against the previous year. Total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% 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 +46.5% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, cotton fabric imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Mali (X tons), distantly followed by Morocco (X tons), Tunisia (X tons), Ghana (X tons), Gambia (X tons) and Kenya (X tons) represented the largest importers of woven fabrics of cotton, together mixing up 58% of total imports. The following importers - Egypt (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Togo (X tons), South Africa (X tons), Benin (X tons), Burkina Faso (X tons) and Madagascar (X tons) - together made up 24% of total imports.

Mali was also the fastest-growing in terms of the woven fabrics of cotton imports, with a CAGR of +44.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Nigeria (+21.4%), Egypt (+19.1%), Madagascar (+10.6%), Burkina Faso (+9.6%), Kenya (+6.3%), Ghana (+6.1%), Morocco (+2.9%), Gambia (+2.7%) and South Africa (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Tunisia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Benin (-2.0%) and Togo (-2.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Mali (+22 p.p.), Nigeria (+3.1 p.p.) and Egypt (+2.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Benin, Morocco, Togo and Tunisia saw its share reduced by -3%, -3.2%, -4.4% and -8.3% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest cotton fabric importing markets in Africa were Tunisia ($X), Morocco ($X) and Mali ($X), with a combined 47% share of total imports.

Mali, with a CAGR of +54.2%, 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

The import price in Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a pronounced slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the import price increased by 31% against the previous year. 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.

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 Nigeria (+18.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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