Cotton furnishing textiles imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $5.1 million of cotton furnishing textiles in 2024 (638 tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is close to the 2023 level. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2021, at $12.7 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 | $5.1M | 638 t |
| 2023 | $5.2M | 659 t |
| 2022 | $6.0M | 785 t |
| 2021 | $12.7M | 751 t |
| 2020 | $10.4M | 712 t |
| 2019 | $10.0M | 1.2K t |
| 2018 | $10.8M | 701 t |
| 2017 | $10.1M | 683 t |
Where South Africa imports cotton furnishing textiles from
One supplier dominates: India accounted for 74% of the value. Among the main suppliers, Malaysia grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $3.8M | 74% |
| China | $602K | 12% |
| Malaysia | $508K | 9.9% |
| Portugal | $82K | 1.6% |
| Bangladesh | $43K | 0.8% |
| Pakistan | $42K | 0.8% |
| Turkey | $17K | 0.3% |
| United States | $14K | 0.3% |
| Tunisia | $12K | 0.2% |
| Spain | $9K | 0.2% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.07 per kg, 31% below the world average of $11.76, 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.
Cotton furnishing textiles exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported cotton furnishing textiles worth $860 thousand (92 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Namibia (29%), Botswana (11%), DR Congo (8%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 48%. Among the main buyer markets, Zambia grew fastest (+89% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $250K | 29% |
| Botswana | $98K | 11% |
| DR Congo | $68K | 7.8% |
| United States | $65K | 7.6% |
| Tanzania | $63K | 7.3% |
| Mozambique | $47K | 5.4% |
| Zambia | $47K | 5.4% |
| United Kingdom | $28K | 3.3% |
| Lesotho | $26K | 3% |
| Eswatini | $26K | 3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa cotton furnishing textiles imports (HS 6304.92): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 6304.92: Furnishing articles: of cotton, not knitted or crocheted (excluding bedspreads and articles of heading no. 9404).
Common questions
What is the value of cotton furnishing textiles imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported cotton furnishing textiles worth $5.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 638 tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 212 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 0% on 2023.
Which countries supply cotton furnishing textiles to South Africa?
India was the largest supplier with 74% of the value ($3.8 million), followed by China (12%) and Malaysia (10%). The top three together account for 95%, out of 45 supplier countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 292% on the year.
What is the average import price of cotton furnishing textiles per kg?
The average declared import value was about $8.07 per kg in 2024, 31% below the world average of $11.76 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of cotton furnishing textiles to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $10.1 million in 2017 to $5.1 million in 2024, a fall of 49%. The peak was 2021 at $12.7 million. Over 8 years the average was $8.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also export cotton furnishing textiles?
Yes. South Africa exported $860 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Namibia, Botswana and the DR Congo. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $4.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for cotton furnishing textiles?
The HS code for cotton furnishing textiles is subheading 6304.92. It sits in HS chapter 63 (textiles, made up articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6304 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World cotton furnishing textiles trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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