SADC: Market for Coconut, Abaca, Ramie and other Vegetable Textile Fibres 2025

Market Size for Coconut, Abaca, Ramie and other Vegetable Textile Fibres in SADC

In 2022, the SADC market for coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres increased by 6% to $X, rising for the third year in a row after four years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Production of Coconut, Abaca, Ramie and other Vegetable Textile Fibres in SADC

In value terms, production of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 25%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2022, production of growth failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Tanzania (X tons), Madagascar (X tons) and South Africa (X tons), with a combined 97% share of total production. These countries were followed by Mozambique, which accounted for a further 2.4%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +10.1%), while fibres for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the average yield of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres in SADC stood at X kg per ha, remaining relatively unchanged against 2021 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the yield increased by 52%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2014 to 2022, the growth of the yield of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres remained at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the total area harvested in terms of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres production in SADC stood at X ha, remaining stable against 2021 figures. In general, the harvested area, however, showed a mild decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 13%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the harvested area of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Coconut, Abaca, Ramie and other Vegetable Textile Fibres

Exports in SADC

In 2022, shipments abroad of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres decreased by -19.2% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 82%. Over the period under review, the exports of attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, exports of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres reduced remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, showed a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 74% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Madagascar (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) were the major exporters of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres in SADC, together reaching approx. 86% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Mozambique (X tons), constituting a 13% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +49.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X), Madagascar ($X) and Mozambique ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 99% share of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Mozambique, with a CAGR of +47.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, approximately equating the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 an increase of 26% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Tanzania ($X per ton), while Mozambique ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+1.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Coconut, Abaca, Ramie and other Vegetable Textile Fibres

Imports in SADC

In 2022, purchases abroad of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres decreased by -18.9% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a perceptible expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 49% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, imports of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres declined to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports of reached the peak figure at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa prevails in fibres structure, finishing at X tons, which was near 86% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), achieving a 5.1% share of total imports. Tanzania (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibre imports into South Africa stood at +5.7%. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+59.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +59.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Tanzania (-15.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of South Africa (+12 p.p.) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Tanzania (-17.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres in SADC, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), with a 13% share of total imports.

In South Africa, imports of coconut, abaca, ramie and other vegetable textile fibres increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Democratic Republic of the Congo (+60.4% per year) and Tanzania (-16.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 12% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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 Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X per ton), while South Africa ($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 (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform