SADC: Sportswear Market 2025

Sportswear Market Size in SADC

The SADC sportswear market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sportswear Production in SADC

In value terms, sportswear production expanded remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 20%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Sportswear Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, overseas shipments of track suits, ski suits and swimwear were finally on the rise to reach X units after three years of decline. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 43% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X units. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sportswear exports surged to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of export peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa represented the major exporting country with an export of around X units, which recorded 39% of total exports. Mauritius (X units) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 23% share, followed by Lesotho (22%) and Madagascar (7.7%). Swaziland (X units), Botswana (X units) and Namibia (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Swaziland (with a CAGR of +28.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest sportswear supplying countries in SADC were South Africa ($X), Lesotho ($X) and Mauritius ($X), with a combined 86% share of total exports.

Lesotho, with a CAGR of +21.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per unit in 2021, picking up by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 31%. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure at $X per unit in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($X per unit), while Swaziland ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Madagascar (+13.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Sportswear Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2021, approx. X units of track suits, ski suits and swimwear were imported in SADC; with an increase of 11% against the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sportswear imports soared to $X in 2021. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa dominates imports structure, reaching X units, which was near 72% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Botswana (X units) and Tanzania (X units), together generating a 16% share of total imports. Mauritius (X units), Mozambique (X units) and Namibia (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to sportswear imports into South Africa stood at +1.4%. At the same time, Tanzania (+38.9%), Mozambique (+23.2%) and Mauritius (+20.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Tanzania emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +38.9% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Botswana (-1.7%) and Namibia (-5.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Tanzania (+6.8 p.p.), Mauritius (+2.6 p.p.) and Mozambique (+1.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Namibia (-1.9 p.p.) and Botswana (-2.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported track suits, ski suits and swimwear in SADC, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Tanzania ($X), with a 9.1% share of total imports. It was followed by Mauritius, with a 5.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Tanzania (+45.5% per year) and Mauritius (+9.3% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per unit in 2021, surging by 22% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, continues to indicate a slight descent. The level of import peaked at $X per unit in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Mauritius ($X per unit), while Botswana ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+4.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform