South Africa: Cotton Embroidery Market 2025

Cotton Embroidery Market Size in South Africa

The South African cotton embroidery market expanded notably to $X in 2022, growing by 9% against the previous year. Overall, the total consumption indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -9.6% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cotton Embroidery Production in South Africa

In value terms, cotton embroidery production expanded rapidly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 57%. Cotton embroidery production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Embroidery Exports

Exports from South Africa

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of cotton embroidery in the piece increased by 66% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a precipitous decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 157% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cotton embroidery exports surged to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a precipitous setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 107%. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Lesotho (X tons) was the main destination for cotton embroidery exports from South Africa, with a 90% share of total exports. It was followed by Namibia (X kg), with a 2.8% share of total exports. Swaziland (X kg) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 2.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Lesotho amounted to -28.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (+18.7% per year) and Swaziland (-18.0% per year).

In value terms, Lesotho ($X) remains the key foreign market for cotton embroidery in the piece exports from South Africa, comprising 80% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Namibia ($X), with a 7.2% share of total exports. It was followed by Swaziland, with a 3.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Lesotho stood at -24.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Namibia (+10.5% per year) and Swaziland (-21.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cotton embroidery export price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -17.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 118%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Namibia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Botswana ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Lesotho (+4.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Cotton Embroidery Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, supplies from abroad of cotton embroidery in the piece increased by 41% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, recorded a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 64%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton embroidery imports expanded remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, imports, however, saw a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 102% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of cotton embroidery to South Africa, accounting for a 63% share of total imports. Moreover, cotton embroidery imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Lesotho (X tons), twofold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from China totaled -14.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Lesotho (-17.4% per year) and India (-6.0% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cotton embroidery in the piece to South Africa, comprising 72% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Lesotho ($X), with a 9.3% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from China amounted to -9.4%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Lesotho (-15.6% per year) and India (+2.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cotton embroidery import price amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -20.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the average import price increased by 201%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+8.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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