Heavy nonwoven natural fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of heavy nonwoven natural fabric by South Africa reached $9.2 million in 2024 (2.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value fell 33% from 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $16.0 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 | $9.2M | 2.4K t |
| 2023 | $13.7M | 3.0K t |
| 2022 | $16.0M | 3.5K t |
| 2021 | $12.2M | 2.5K t |
| 2020 | $8.8M | 1.9K t |
| 2019 | $4.2M | 967 t |
| 2018 | $4.4M | 885 t |
| 2017 | $7.6M | 1.2K t |
Where South Africa imports heavy nonwoven natural fabric from
China alone supplied 81% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $7.5M | 81% |
| Germany | $707K | 7.7% |
| France | $413K | 4.5% |
| Thailand | $171K | 1.9% |
| United States | $95K | 1% |
| Denmark | $58K | 0.6% |
| Netherlands | $52K | 0.6% |
| Finland | $48K | 0.5% |
| Mexico | $47K | 0.5% |
| Taiwan | $41K | 0.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.88 per kg, close to the world average of $4.71.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Heavy nonwoven natural fabric exports from South Africa
Exports of heavy nonwoven natural fabric by South Africa reached $940 thousand in 2024 (457 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Mozambique (24%), Germany (23%), Lesotho (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Germany grew fastest (+254% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mozambique | $228K | 24% |
| Germany | $218K | 23% |
| Lesotho | $116K | 12% |
| Argentina | $80K | 8.5% |
| Botswana | $52K | 5.5% |
| Djibouti | $50K | 5.3% |
| Mauritius | $47K | 5% |
| Zambia | $24K | 2.6% |
| Namibia | $24K | 2.5% |
| Zimbabwe | $20K | 2.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa heavy nonwoven natural fabric imports (HS 5603.93): 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 5603.93: Nonwovens: whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated, not of man-made filaments, (weighing more than 70g/m2 but not more than 150g/m2).
Common questions
What is the value of heavy nonwoven natural fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported heavy nonwoven natural fabric worth $9.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 30th of 192 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was down 33% on 2023.
Which countries supply heavy nonwoven natural fabric to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 81% of the value ($7.5 million), followed by Germany (8%) and France (5%). The top three together account for 94%, out of 24 supplier countries in total. Finland grew fastest among the top ten, up 329% on the year.
What is the average import price of heavy nonwoven natural fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.88 per kg in 2024, 18% below the world average of $4.71 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of heavy nonwoven natural fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $7.6 million in 2017 to $9.2 million in 2024, an increase of 21%. The peak was 2022 at $16.0 million. Over 8 years the average was $9.5 million a year.
Does South Africa also export heavy nonwoven natural fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $940 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Mozambique, Germany and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $8.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for heavy nonwoven natural fabric?
The HS code for heavy nonwoven natural fabric is subheading 5603.93. It sits in HS chapter 56 (wadding, felt and nonwovens, special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5603 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 heavy nonwoven natural fabric trade: top importers and exporters
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