SADC: Cotton Fabric Market 2025

Cotton Fabric Market Size in SADC

In 2021, the SADC cotton fabric market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Fabric Production in SADC

In value terms, cotton fabric production rose slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Fabric Exports

Exports in SADC

After four years of decline, shipments abroad of woven fabrics of cotton increased by 29% to X tons in 2021. Total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -18.7% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when exports increased by 43% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton fabric exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -5.8% against 2018 indices. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

South Africa was the main exporter of woven fabrics of cotton in SADC, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 54% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Lesotho (X tons), Mauritius (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons), together mixing up a 38% share of total exports. The following exporters - Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) and Zimbabwe (X tons) - together made up 6.9% of total exports.

Exports from South Africa increased at an average annual rate of +10.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Mauritius (+13.2%), Tanzania (+6.0%), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+3.5%) and Lesotho (+3.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mauritius emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +13.2% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Zimbabwe (-9.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of South Africa and Mauritius increased by +14 and +6.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Africa ($X) remains the largest cotton fabric supplier in SADC, comprising 58% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mauritius ($X), with a 17% share of total exports. It was followed by Lesotho, with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in South Africa totaled +11.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mauritius (-5.3% per year) and Lesotho (-0.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 3.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 27% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat 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 ($X per ton), while Zimbabwe ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Tanzania (+6.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Fabric Imports

Imports in SADC

After two years of decline, supplies from abroad of woven fabrics of cotton increased by 7.2% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports posted a pronounced increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 38% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton fabric imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

South Africa (X tons), Madagascar (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons) represented roughly 65% of total imports in 2021. Lesotho (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 6.9% share, followed by Democratic Republic of the Congo (5.9%), Mauritius (5.8%), Swaziland (5.5%) and Angola (5.4%).

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Tanzania (with a CAGR of +20.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Madagascar ($X), South Africa ($X) and Tanzania ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, with a combined 63% share of total imports.

Tanzania, with a CAGR of +14.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries 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, growing by 12% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a mild decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Swaziland (+3.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform