SADC: Knitted Fabric Market 2024

Knitted Fabric Market Size in SADC

In 2021, the SADC knitted fabric market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Knitted Fabric Production in SADC

In value terms, knitted fabric production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -6.1% against 2017 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 38% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Knitted Fabric Exports

Exports in SADC

Knitted fabric exports soared to X tons in 2021, growing by 36% on the previous year. Total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, knitted fabric exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.5% 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 increased by +63.8% against 2016 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Mauritius represented the key exporting country with an export of about X tons, which finished at 57% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons), Swaziland (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons), together making up a 42% share of total exports.

Exports from Mauritius increased at an average annual rate of +9.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Tanzania (+16.4%) and Swaziland (+16.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +16.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, South Africa (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Mauritius, Swaziland and Tanzania increased by +13, +8.1 and +3.9 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Mauritius ($X) remains the largest knitted fabric supplier in SADC, comprising 62% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Africa ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Swaziland, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Mauritius totaled +12.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (-3.3% per year) and Swaziland (+15.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 an increase of 23% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mauritius (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Knitted Fabric Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, the amount of knitted or crocheted fabrics imported in SADC skyrocketed to X tons, with an increase of 25% against the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% 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 reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, knitted fabric imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% 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 reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

South Africa was the key importer of knitted or crocheted fabrics in SADC, with the volume of imports reaching X tons, which was near 50% of total imports in 2021. Madagascar (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 25% share, followed by Lesotho (13%) and Tanzania (4.8%). The following importers - Mauritius (X tons) and Swaziland (X tons) - each finished at a 3.8% share of total imports.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +10.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Madagascar (+12.0%) and Mauritius (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Madagascar emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +12.0% from 2012-2021. Lesotho and Swaziland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Tanzania (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Africa (+13 p.p.) and Madagascar (+8.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Tanzania and Lesotho saw its share reduced by -5.9% and -8.7% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest knitted fabric importing markets in SADC were South Africa ($X), Madagascar ($X) and Lesotho ($X), with a combined 89% share of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Madagascar, with a CAGR of +14.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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, with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a noticeable shrinkage. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Lesotho ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Madagascar (+2.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform