South Africa: Cotton Lint Market 2025

Cotton Lint Market Size in South Africa

The South African cotton lint market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2022, after three years of decline. In general, consumption saw a measured expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Lint Production in South Africa

In value terms, cotton lint production dropped to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 480%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

In 2022, the average cotton lint yield in South Africa soared to X tons per ha, rising by 57% on the year before. Over the period under review, the yield, however, saw a abrupt decline. Over the period under review, the average cotton lint yield attained the peak level at X tons per ha in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The cotton lint harvested area in South Africa stood at X ha in 2022, remaining constant against 2021. In general, the harvested area enjoyed strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 153%. Over the period under review, the harvested area dedicated to cotton lint production attained the peak figure at X ha in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the harvested area failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Lint Exports

Exports from South Africa

For the fourth consecutive year, South Africa recorded decline in shipments abroad of cotton lint, which decreased by -60.4% to X tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a deep reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 205% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint exports plummeted to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 202% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Bangladesh (X tons), Lesotho (X tons) and Vietnam (X tons) were the main destinations of cotton lint exports from South Africa, together accounting for 92% of total exports. Mozambique, China and Swaziland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 3.6%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +119.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Lesotho ($X), Bangladesh ($X) and Vietnam ($X) constituted the largest markets for cotton lint exported from South Africa worldwide, together comprising 90% of total exports. Mozambique, China and Swaziland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 4%.

Among the main countries of destination, Mozambique, with a CAGR of +119.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average cotton lint export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 34% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated slight growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cotton lint export price increased by +76.2% against 2020 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Swaziland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Vietnam ($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 Swaziland (+10.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cotton Lint Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2022, imports of cotton lint into South Africa fell sharply to X tons, shrinking by -59.2% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, imports saw a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 98%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton lint imports shrank remarkably to $X in 2022. In general, imports faced a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 147% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Zambia (X tons), Zimbabwe (X tons) and Mali (X tons) were the main suppliers of cotton lint imports to South Africa, together comprising 67% of total imports. Switzerland, Cote d'Ivoire, Swaziland and Malawi lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Swaziland (with a CAGR of +113.9%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Zambia ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cotton lint to South Africa, comprising 42% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Switzerland ($X), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Mali, with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from Zambia amounted to -15.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Switzerland (+83.3% per year) and Mali (+39.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average cotton lint import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, surging by 39% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cotton lint import price increased by +72.9% against 2020 indices. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Zambia ($X per ton), while the price for Zimbabwe ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (+12.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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