SADC: Men Knitwear Market 2025

Men Knitwear Market Size in SADC

The SADC men knitwear market totaled $X in 2022, rising by 6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded prominent growth. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Men Knitwear Production in SADC

In value terms, men knitwear production contracted modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, enjoyed a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 87% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Men Knitwear Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, overseas shipments of men's or boys' clothing (knitted or crocheted) increased by 0.4% to X units, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +20.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 29%. The volume of export peaked at X units in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, men knitwear exports rose notably to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 29%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Madagascar (X units) and South Africa (X units) represented roughly 76% of total exports in 2022. Lesotho (X units) held a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Swaziland (6%) and Mauritius (5.1%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Madagascar (with a CAGR of +13.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Madagascar ($X) and Lesotho ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 87% share of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Madagascar, with a CAGR of +22.2%, 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

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per unit, surging by 5.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 7.4% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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 Lesotho ($X per unit), while Swaziland ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Madagascar (+7.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Men Knitwear Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, supplies from abroad of men's or boys' clothing (knitted or crocheted) increased by 20% to X units, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 76%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X units in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, men knitwear imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a pronounced 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, imports increased by +94.0% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 47%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, South Africa (X units) represented the key importer of men's or boys' clothing (knitted or crocheted), committing 62% of total imports. Madagascar (X units) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Angola (X units). All these countries together took near 20% share of total imports. Namibia (X units), Botswana (X units), Tanzania (X units) and Lesotho (X units) held a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to men knitwear imports into South Africa stood at +7.6%. At the same time, Namibia (+23.1%), Tanzania (+13.5%), Lesotho (+9.2%) and Madagascar (+6.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Namibia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +23.1% from 2012-2022. Angola and Botswana experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of South Africa (+9.5 p.p.), Namibia (+3.2 p.p.) and Tanzania (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2022, the share of Botswana (-3 p.p.) and Angola (-6.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported men's or boys' clothing (knitted or crocheted) in SADC, comprising 51% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Angola ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 7.4% share.

In South Africa, men knitwear imports increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Angola (+10.0% per year) and Namibia (+1.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per unit, picking up by 12% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a mild slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the import price increased by 15% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per unit. From 2014 to 2022, the 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 Tanzania ($X per unit), while Madagascar ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+10.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform