SADC: Cotton Bag Market 2025

Cotton Bag Market Size in SADC

In 2021, the SADC cotton bag market decreased by -0.4% to $X for the first time since 2011, thus ending a nine-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption posted a resilient increase. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Cotton Bag Production in SADC

In value terms, cotton bag production reduced slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +89.0% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Cotton Bag Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, shipments abroad of sacks and bags of cotton decreased by -71.5% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports faced a dramatic decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 56% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton bag exports dropped dramatically to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 139%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa was the key exporter of sacks and bags of cotton in SADC, with the volume of exports finishing at X tons, which was approx. 62% of total exports in 2021. Namibia (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 16% share, followed by Madagascar (11%). The following exporters - Mauritius (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) - each resulted at a 7.3% share of total exports.

Exports from South Africa decreased at an average annual rate of -31.4% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Mauritius (+10.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mauritius emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +10.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Namibia (-3.9%), Madagascar (-11.4%) and Tanzania (-16.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Namibia (+15 p.p.), Madagascar (+9.4 p.p.), Mauritius (+3.6 p.p.) and Tanzania (+2.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of South Africa (-33.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest cotton bag supplier in SADC, comprising 55% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Madagascar ($X), with a 22% share of total exports. It was followed by Mauritius, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa stood at -6.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Madagascar (-12.5% per year) and Mauritius (+12.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 94% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a significant increase. 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 Mauritius ($X per ton), while Namibia ($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 (+36.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Bag Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, purchases abroad of sacks and bags of cotton decreased by -8.9% to X tons, falling for the sixth consecutive year after four years of growth. Overall, imports recorded a abrupt decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 21% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton bag imports reduced sharply to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 52%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

South Africa (X tons), Botswana (X tons) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) represented roughly 60% of total imports in 2021. Tanzania (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 10% share, followed by Zimbabwe (9.6%) and Mauritius (5.4%). Mozambique (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Tanzania (with a CAGR of +28.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Zimbabwe ($X) and Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 52% of total imports. Tanzania, Botswana, Mauritius and Mozambique lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Tanzania, with a CAGR of +29.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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, reducing by -24.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 70% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

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 Zimbabwe ($X per ton), while Botswana ($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 (+9.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform