South Africa: Cotton Table Linen Market 2025

Cotton Table Linen Market Size in South Africa

The South African cotton table linen market dropped slightly to $X in 2022, shrinking by -2.8% against the previous year. Overall, consumption showed a perceptible contraction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Cotton Table Linen Production in South Africa

In value terms, cotton table linen production shrank slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a slight setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the production volume increased by 60% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Cotton Table Linen Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2022, exports of table linen of cotton from South Africa shrank dramatically to X tons, waning by -15.2% on the year before. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 90%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cotton table linen exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 50% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Namibia (X tons) was the main destination for cotton table linen exports from South Africa, with a 34% share of total exports. Moreover, cotton table linen exports to Namibia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Zambia (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Botswana (X tons), with a 9.6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume to Namibia amounted to +10.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Zambia (+3.4% per year) and Botswana (-2.9% per year).

In value terms, Namibia ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for table linen of cotton exports from South Africa, comprising 25% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Mozambique, with a 7.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Namibia stood at +12.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (+10.6% per year) and Mozambique (+12.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average cotton table linen export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 49% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a tangible increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cotton table linen export price increased by +119.2% against 2017 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 56%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

Cotton Table Linen Imports

Imports into South Africa

Cotton table linen imports into South Africa contracted to X tons in 2022, reducing by -5.4% on 2021 figures. In general, imports saw a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 31% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cotton table linen imports rose rapidly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports showed a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 32%. Imports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, India (X tons) was the main supplier of cotton table linen to South Africa, accounting for a 91% share of total imports. Moreover, cotton table linen imports from India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, China (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from India totaled -3.5%.

In value terms, India ($X) constituted the largest supplier of table linen of cotton to South Africa, comprising 89% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 7.3% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from India amounted to -5.5%.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average cotton table linen import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for India stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (-0.2%).

Source: IndexBox Platform

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