Light cotton fabric imports in the DR Congo: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, the DR Congo imported light cotton fabric worth $10.0 million (1.5 thousand tonnes). That is 58% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 15% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $38.8 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $10.0M | 1.5K t |
| 2023 | $24.0M | 3.5K t |
| 2022 | $31.1M | 2.8K t |
| 2021 | $19.3M | 2.9K t |
| 2020 | $13.2M | 1.1K t |
| 2019 | $29.2M | 4.0K t |
| 2018 | $38.8M | 4.1K t |
| 2017 | $30.6M | 3.7K t |
Where the DR Congo imports light cotton fabric from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 70% of the value.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $7.0M | 70% |
| Uganda | $1.1M | 11% |
| Belgium | $852K | 8.6% |
| Kenya | $313K | 3.1% |
| Netherlands | $296K | 3% |
| India | $218K | 2.2% |
| United Kingdom | $123K | 1.2% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $43K | 0.4% |
| South Africa | $12K | 0.1% |
| Angola | $6K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 5208
| 5208.52 | Printed medium plain cotton fabric | 72% |
| 5208.21 | Bleached light plain cotton fabric | 11% |
| 5208.39 | Dyed light woven cotton fabric (other weaves) | 5.3% |
| 5208.59 | Printed light woven cotton fabric (other weaves) | 4.8% |
| 5208.31 | Dyed light plain cotton fabric | 3.2% |
| 5208.42 | Multi-colour medium plain cotton fabric | 1% |
| 5208.12 | Unbleached medium plain cotton fabric | 0.8% |
| 5208.22 | Bleached medium plain cotton fabric | 0.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5208.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.81 per kg, 27% below the world average of $9.39, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Who is behind these numbers in the DR Congo?
The shipment records behind DR Congo light cotton fabric imports (HS 5208): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 5208: Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, weighing not more than 200 g/m2.
Common questions
What is the value of light cotton fabric imported by the DR Congo?
The DR Congo imported light cotton fabric worth $10.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 88th of 214 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 58% on 2023.
Which countries supply light cotton fabric to the DR Congo?
China was the largest supplier with 70% of the value ($7.0 million), followed by Uganda (11%) and Belgium (9%). The top three together account for 90%, out of 14 supplier countries in total. South Africa grew fastest among the top ten, up 79% on the year.
What is the average import price of light cotton fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.81 per kg in 2024, 27% below the world average of $9.39 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of light cotton fabric to the DR Congo changed since 2017?
Imports went from $30.6 million in 2017 to $10.0 million in 2024, a fall of 67%. The peak was 2018 at $38.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $24.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for light cotton fabric?
The HS code for light cotton fabric is heading 5208. In the DR Congo the largest six-digit codes were 5208.52 (72% of the value) and 5208.21 (10%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for the DR Congo. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World light cotton fabric trade: top importers and exporters
Light cotton fabric product types in DR Congo
More trade data for the DR Congo
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