Heavy cotton blend fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of heavy cotton blend fabric by South Africa reached $21.1 million in 2024 (3.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 9% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 16% a year on average.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $21.1M | 3.4K t |
| 2023 | $19.4M | 2.9K t |
| 2022 | $8.6M | 1.6K t |
| 2021 | $8.5M | 2.2K t |
| 2020 | $9.0M | 3.0K t |
| 2019 | $10.1M | 3.8K t |
| 2018 | $19.2M | 26.1K t |
| 2017 | $7.3M | 3.6K t |
Where South Africa imports heavy cotton blend fabric from
One supplier dominates: India accounted for 72% of the value. Among the main suppliers, India grew fastest (+33% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $15.2M | 72% |
| China | $4.9M | 23% |
| Pakistan | $347K | 1.6% |
| Lesotho | $191K | 0.9% |
| Spain | $146K | 0.7% |
| Cambodia | $125K | 0.6% |
| Italy | $85K | 0.4% |
| Netherlands | $73K | 0.4% |
| Turkey | $32K | 0.2% |
| United Kingdom | $23K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 5211
| 5211.42 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, of yarns of… | 91% |
| 5211.32 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, dyed, 3-thread… | 2.8% |
| 5211.31 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, dyed, plain… | 1.9% |
| 5211.43 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, of yarns of… | 1% |
| 5211.49 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, of yarns of… | 0.9% |
| 5211.59 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, printed, of… | 0.8% |
| 5211.39 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2, dyed, of… | 0.7% |
| 5211.12 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, unbleached, 3- or 4-thread twill… | 0.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5211.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.21 per kg, close to the world average of $6.17.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Heavy cotton blend fabric exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $1.3 million of heavy cotton blend fabric in 2024 (474 tonnes). Most of it went to Eswatini (47%), Tanzania (22%), Lesotho (8%). Among the main buyer markets, Tanzania grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $619K | 47% |
| Tanzania | $287K | 22% |
| Lesotho | $102K | 7.8% |
| Botswana | $71K | 5.4% |
| Kenya | $39K | 3% |
| Zimbabwe | $38K | 2.9% |
| Mozambique | $30K | 2.3% |
| Malawi | $29K | 2.3% |
| Namibia | $29K | 2.2% |
| Zambia | $23K | 1.8% |
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 5211: Woven fabrics of cotton, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing more than 200g/m2.
Common questions
What is the value of heavy cotton blend fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported heavy cotton blend fabric worth $21.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 31st of 193 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 9% on 2023.
Which countries supply heavy cotton blend fabric to South Africa?
India was the largest supplier with 72% of the value ($15.2 million), followed by China (23%) and Pakistan (2%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 33 supplier countries in total. Spain grew fastest among the top ten, up 81% on the year.
What is the average import price of heavy cotton blend fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.21 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $6.17 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 heavy cotton blend fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $7.3 million in 2017 to $21.1 million in 2024, an increase of 191%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export heavy cotton blend fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Tanzania and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $19.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for heavy cotton blend fabric?
The HS code for heavy cotton blend fabric is heading 5211. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5211.42 (91% of the value) and 5211.32 (3%). It sits in HS chapter 52 (cotton). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5211 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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