South Africa: Wadding Market 2025

Wadding Market Size in South Africa

In 2021, the South African wadding market decreased by -0.4% to $X, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, the total consumption indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -11.6% against 2019 indices. Wadding consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Wadding Production in South Africa

In value terms, wadding production expanded slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -4.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 32%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2020 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Wadding Exports

Exports from South Africa

In 2021, overseas shipments of wadding increased by 63% to X tons, rising for the third year in a row after five years of decline. Overall, exports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 119% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, wadding exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 165%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Zimbabwe (X tons) was the main destination for wadding exports from South Africa, accounting for a 45% share of total exports. Moreover, wadding exports to Zimbabwe exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Congo (X tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Mozambique (X tons), with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Zimbabwe totaled +45.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Congo (+201.9% per year) and Mozambique (+0.7% per year).

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X) remains the key foreign market for wadding exports from South Africa, comprising 46% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Congo ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Mozambique, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Zimbabwe stood at +45.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Congo (+189.6% per year) and Mozambique (+3.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average wadding export price amounted to $X per ton, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, export price indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, wadding export price decreased by -6.4% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 33%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Swaziland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Lesotho ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Namibia (+10.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Wadding Imports

Imports into South Africa

In 2021, supplies from abroad of wadding decreased by -0.7% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a slight slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 17%. 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, wadding imports reduced to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 40%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), India (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the main suppliers of wadding imports to South Africa, with a combined 84% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Thailand and the United States, which together accounted for a further 12%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +24.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest wadding suppliers to South Africa were China ($X), India ($X) and Italy ($X), together accounting for 76% of total imports. These countries were followed by the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Thailand, which together accounted for a further 14%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +36.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average wadding import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, dropping by -4.7% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.0%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 29% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+9.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform