SADC: Cotton Linters Market 2024

Cotton Linters Market Size in SADC

The SADC cotton linters market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after three years of decline. In general, consumption posted moderate growth. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Linters Production in SADC

In value terms, cotton linters production rose modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 15%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Linters Exports

Exports in SADC

After three years of growth, overseas shipments of cotton linters decreased by -65.7% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports recorded a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 72%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2020, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

In value terms, cotton linters exports dropped markedly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 123% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2020, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the main exporter of cotton linters in SADC, with the volume of exports reaching X tons, which was approx. 77% of total exports in 2021. Zimbabwe (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Zambia (X tons). All these countries together held near 22% share of total exports.

South Africa was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cotton linters exports, with a CAGR of +10.5% from 2012 to 2021. Zimbabwe (-11.6%) and Zambia (-20.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Africa (+56 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Zimbabwe and Zambia saw its share reduced by -11.2% and -41.8% from 2012 to 2021, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest cotton linters supplier in SADC, comprising 85% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Zambia ($X), with an 8.2% share of total exports.

In South Africa, cotton linters exports expanded at an average annual rate of +14.2% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Zambia (-19.9% per year) and Zimbabwe (-16.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 40% against the previous year. Over the last nine years, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.6%. As a result, the export price attained 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 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Zimbabwe ($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 (+3.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Cotton Linters Imports

Imports in SADC

After four years of decline, supplies from abroad of cotton linters increased by 49% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 376% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton linters imports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded a perceptible downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 356%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa represented the largest importer of cotton linters in SADC, with the volume of imports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 61% of total imports in 2021. Angola (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Swaziland (X tons). All these countries together took near 34% share of total imports. Zimbabwe (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +15.6% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Angola (+97.2%), Zimbabwe (+14.6%) and Swaziland (+7.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Angola emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +97.2% from 2012-2021. While the share of South Africa (+52 p.p.), Angola (+27 p.p.), Swaziland (+4.9 p.p.) and Zimbabwe (+3.1 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest cotton linters importing markets in SADC were South Africa ($X), Angola ($X) and Swaziland ($X), with a combined 97% share of total imports.

Angola, with a CAGR of +89.0%, 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 SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -7.9% against the previous year. Import price indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% 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 2015 when the import price increased by 55%. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Angola ($X per ton) and South Africa ($X per ton), while Zimbabwe ($X per ton) and Swaziland ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+15.3%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform