Artificial staple fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $21.4 million of artificial staple fabric in 2024 (2.6 thousand tonnes). That is 37% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $36.6 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 | $21.4M | 2.6K t |
| 2023 | $15.6M | 2.3K t |
| 2022 | $22.0M | 3.3K t |
| 2021 | $23.6M | 8.5K t |
| 2020 | $21.7M | 19.0K t |
| 2019 | $36.6M | 9.3K t |
| 2018 | $28.3M | 13.8K t |
| 2017 | $22.1M | 18.9K t |
Where South Africa imports artificial staple fabric from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 88% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Spain grew fastest (+61% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $18.7M | 88% |
| Spain | $1.9M | 8.7% |
| India | $140K | 0.7% |
| Thailand | $129K | 0.6% |
| Italy | $109K | 0.5% |
| Indonesia | $100K | 0.5% |
| Netherlands | $74K | 0.4% |
| Pakistan | $56K | 0.3% |
| United Kingdom | $40K | 0.2% |
| Belgium | $32K | 0.2% |
Product types under HS 5516
| 5516.14 | Fabrics, woven: printed, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibres | 30% |
| 5516.12 | Fabrics, woven: dyed, containing 85% or more by weight of artificial staple fibres | 18% |
| 5516.22 | Fabrics, woven: dyed, containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments | 14% |
| 5516.92 | Fabrics, woven: dyed, of artificial staple fibres, n.e.c. in heading no. 5516 | 14% |
| 5516.24 | Fabrics, woven: printed, containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with man-made filaments | 13% |
| 5516.32 | Fabrics, woven: dyed, containing less than 85% by weight of artificial staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with wool or fine animal hair | 6.3% |
| 5516.94 | Fabrics, woven: printed, of artificial staple fibres, n.e.c. in heading no. 5516 | 1.4% |
| 5516.93 | Fabrics, woven: of yarns of different colours, of artificial staple fibres, n.e.c. in heading no. 5516 | 1.1% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5516.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.07 per kg, close to the world average of $6.97.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Artificial staple fabric exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $2.2 million of artificial staple fabric in 2024 (244 tonnes). Eswatini alone took 62% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $1.4M | 62% |
| Mozambique | $534K | 24% |
| Lesotho | $170K | 7.6% |
| Zimbabwe | $103K | 4.6% |
| Uganda | $29K | 1.3% |
| United Kingdom | $5K | 0.2% |
| Zambia | $4K | 0.2% |
| DR Congo | $3K | 0.2% |
| Namibia | $3K | 0.1% |
| Malawi | $2K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
Public statistics stop at country totals and the last published year. EximDataX shows the shipment records underneath: the companies, dates, quantities and declared values, updated weekly.
Shipment records are in the platform
Tell us what you trade and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Updated weekly on EximDataX (some markets daily), while public statistics stop at 2024.
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 5516: Woven fabrics of artificial staple fibres.
Common questions
What is the value of artificial staple fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported artificial staple fabric worth $21.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.6 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 50th of 191 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 37% on 2023.
Which countries supply artificial staple fabric to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 88% of the value ($18.7 million), followed by Spain (9%) and India (1%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 29 supplier countries in total. Indonesia grew fastest among the top ten, up 81% on the year.
What is the average import price of artificial staple fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.07 per kg in 2024, 16% above the world average of $6.97 per kg. It is total declared value divided by total weight, so it blends every grade and size; use it as a benchmark, not a quote. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
How have imports of artificial staple fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $22.1 million in 2017 to $21.4 million in 2024, a fall of 3%. The peak was 2019 at $36.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export artificial staple fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Mozambique and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $19.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for artificial staple fabric?
The HS code for artificial staple fabric is heading 5516. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5516.14 (30% of the value) and 5516.12 (18%). It sits in HS chapter 55 (man-made staple fibres). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5516 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Public statistics stop at country totals. EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, updated weekly, so you can see the companies that ship to and from it. Tell us your product and we will show you the latest records on a live call.
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