Denim imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of denim by South Africa reached $10.0 million in 2024 (1.4 thousand tonnes). That is 16% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
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 | 1.4K t |
| 2023 | $8.6M | 1.3K t |
| 2022 | $8.1M | 2.4K t |
| 2021 | $7.9M | 1.6K t |
| 2020 | $4.3M | 862 t |
| 2019 | $8.5M | 1.6K t |
| 2018 | $8.4M | 1.8K t |
| 2017 | $9.5M | 1.9K t |
Where South Africa imports denim from
One supplier dominates: Lesotho accounted for 60% of the value. Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+164% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $6.0M | 60% |
| China | $2.1M | 21% |
| Pakistan | $768K | 7.7% |
| India | $679K | 6.8% |
| Egypt | $210K | 2.1% |
| Mauritius | $141K | 1.4% |
| United States | $137K | 1.4% |
| Eswatini | $21K | 0.2% |
| Japan | $7K | 0.1% |
| Turkey | $6K | 0.1% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $7.30 per kg, 24% above the world average of $5.87. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Denim exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $6.2 million of denim in 2024 (1.1 thousand tonnes). Eswatini alone took 53% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+31% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $3.3M | 53% |
| Lesotho | $2.8M | 46% |
| Namibia | $46K | 0.7% |
| Botswana | $17K | 0.3% |
| Malawi | $7K | 0.1% |
| DR Congo | $4K | 0.1% |
| Angola | $2K | 0% |
| Mozambique | $1K | 0% |
| Poland | $1K | 0% |
| United States | $1K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa denim imports (HS 5209.42): 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 5209.42: Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of different colours, weighing more than 200g/m2, denim.
Common questions
What is the value of denim imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported denim worth $10.0 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 26th of 178 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 16% on 2023.
Which countries supply denim to South Africa?
Lesotho was the largest supplier with 60% of the value ($6.0 million), followed by China (21%) and Pakistan (8%). The top three together account for 88%, out of 34 supplier countries in total. Egypt grew fastest among the top ten, up 837% on the year.
What is the average import price of denim per kg?
The average declared import value was about $7.30 per kg in 2024, 24% above the world average of $5.87 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of denim to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $9.5 million in 2017 to $10.0 million in 2024, an increase of 6%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $8.2 million a year.
Does South Africa also export denim?
Yes. South Africa exported $6.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $3.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for denim?
The HS code for denim is subheading 5209.42. It sits in HS chapter 52 (cotton). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5209 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.
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