Western Africa: Knitted Fabric Market 2025

Knitted Fabric Market Size in Western Africa

For the third year in a row, the West African knitted fabric market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 6% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Knitted Fabric Production in Western Africa

In value terms, knitted fabric production rose significantly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 38% against the previous year. The level of production peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Knitted Fabric Exports

Exports in Western Africa

In 2021, the amount of knitted or crocheted fabrics exported in Western Africa fell modestly to X tons, dropping by -2% compared with 2020. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when exports increased by 22% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, knitted fabric exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +69.4% against 2019 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Mali (X tons) represented the major exporter of knitted or crocheted fabrics, generating 29% of total exports. Ghana (X tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Nigeria (X tons), Cabo Verde (X tons), Liberia (X tons), Sierra Leone (X tons) and Senegal (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 58% share of total exports.

Exports from Mali increased at an average annual rate of +19.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Ghana (+22.4%), Senegal (+16.5%), Cabo Verde (+12.5%) and Liberia (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ghana emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Western Africa, with a CAGR of +22.4% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Sierra Leone (-4.2%) and Nigeria (-11.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Mali (+23 p.p.), Ghana (+11 p.p.), Cabo Verde (+6.9 p.p.) and Senegal (+5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Sierra Leone (-2.9 p.p.) and Nigeria (-23.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Ghana ($X), Nigeria ($X) and Sierra Leone ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together accounting for 60% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, Ghana, with a CAGR of +37.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 export price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 55% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.7%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Ghana ($X per ton), while Mali ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Ghana (+12.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Knitted Fabric Imports

Imports in Western Africa

In 2021, supplies from abroad of knitted or crocheted fabrics decreased by -6.3% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports, however, enjoyed a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 45%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2020, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, knitted fabric imports rose markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports, however, showed a remarkable increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 38%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Ghana (X tons), distantly followed by Togo (X tons), Nigeria (X tons), Senegal (X tons) and Cote d'Ivoire (X tons) were the largest importers of knitted or crocheted fabrics, together comprising 88% of total imports. The following importers - Mauritania (X tons) and Guinea (X tons) - each amounted to a 7.8% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Cote d'Ivoire (with a CAGR of +29.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ghana ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported knitted or crocheted fabrics in Western Africa, comprising 37% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Togo ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Senegal, with a 16% share.

In Ghana, knitted fabric imports increased at an average annual rate of +26.7% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Togo (+19.8% per year) and Senegal (+12.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Western Africa stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 48% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Senegal ($X per ton), while Nigeria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Senegal (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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