SADC: Women Knitwear Market 2024

Women Knitwear Market Size in SADC

In 2022, the SADC women knitwear market increased by 2.5% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption showed a remarkable increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Women Knitwear Production in SADC

In value terms, women knitwear production reduced modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed prominent growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 51% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Women Knitwear Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, shipments abroad of women's or girls' clothing (knitted or crocheted) increased by 21% to X units, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a slight descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 39%. The volume of export peaked at X units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, women knitwear exports expanded modestly to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% 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 +37.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Lesotho represented the key exporter of women's or girls' clothing (knitted or crocheted) in SADC, with the volume of exports amounting to X units, which was approx. 42% of total exports in 2022. Madagascar (X units) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Swaziland (X units), Mauritius (X units) and South Africa (X units). All these countries together held near 57% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to women knitwear exports from Lesotho stood at -5.7%. At the same time, South Africa (+14.7%), Madagascar (+11.3%) and Swaziland (+5.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Africa emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +14.7% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Mauritius (-4.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Madagascar (+14 p.p.), South Africa (+8.4 p.p.) and Swaziland (+6.8 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Mauritius (-4.3 p.p.) and Lesotho (-24 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Lesotho ($X), Madagascar ($X) and Mauritius ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 84% share of total exports.

Madagascar, with a CAGR of +25.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among 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 2022, which is down by -15.2% against the previous year. Export price indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, women knitwear export price decreased by -29.2% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 44% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per unit in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Madagascar ($X per unit), while Swaziland ($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 (+12.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Women Knitwear Imports

Imports in SADC

Women knitwear imports soared to X units in 2022, rising by 16% compared with the previous year. Total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% 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 +48.3% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 35%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X units. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, women knitwear imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% 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 +74.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 49% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

South Africa prevails in imports structure, recording X units, which was approx. 71% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (X units), Madagascar (X units) and Namibia (X units), together generating a 20% share of total imports. Mauritius (X units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Democratic Republic of the Congo (+23.9%), Namibia (+18.9%), Mauritius (+12.7%) and Madagascar (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Democratic Republic of the Congo emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +23.9% from 2012-2022. Democratic Republic of the Congo (+6.6 p.p.), Namibia (+3.7 p.p.) and Mauritius (+1.7 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Madagascar and South Africa saw its share reduced by -1.8% and -8.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported women's or girls' clothing (knitted or crocheted) in SADC, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), with an 8.2% share of total imports. It was followed by Namibia, with a 7.8% share.

In South Africa, women knitwear imports increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Democratic Republic of the Congo (+26.9% per year) and Namibia (+7.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in SADC stood at $X per unit in 2022, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 17%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($X per unit), while Madagascar ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Africa (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform