Heavy synthetic cotton blend imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $19.5 million of heavy synthetic cotton blend in 2024 (4.0 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 23% 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 | $19.5M | 4.0K t |
| 2023 | $15.8M | 3.2K t |
| 2022 | $16.2M | 3.9K t |
| 2021 | $19.3M | 4.0K t |
| 2020 | $14.5M | 2.3K t |
| 2019 | $11.3M | 2.6K t |
| 2018 | $16.8M | 3.7K t |
| 2017 | $13.7M | 3.2K t |
Where South Africa imports heavy synthetic cotton blend from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 88% of the value. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+34% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $17.2M | 88% |
| Pakistan | $1.5M | 7.6% |
| India | $228K | 1.2% |
| Indonesia | $197K | 1% |
| Portugal | $95K | 0.5% |
| Eswatini | $84K | 0.4% |
| Spain | $50K | 0.3% |
| Lesotho | $35K | 0.2% |
| Taiwan | $19K | 0.1% |
| Thailand | $12K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 5514
| 5514.22 | Fabrics, woven: 3- or 4-thread twill, including cross twill, dyed, containing less than 85% by weight of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or… | 36% |
| 5514.23 | Fabrics, woven: dyed, containing less than 85% by weight of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, exceeding 170g/m2, n.e.c. in… | 26% |
| 5514.21 | Fabrics, woven: plain weave, dyed, containing less than 85% by weight of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, exceeding… | 16% |
| 5514.29 | Fabrics, woven: dyed, containing less than 85% by weight of synthetic staple fibres (other than polyesters), mixed mainly or solely with cotton… | 7.4% |
| 5514.30 | Fabrics, woven: of yarns of different colours, containing less than 85% by weight of synthetic staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton… | 5.5% |
| 5514.12 | Fabrics, woven: 3- or 4-thread twill, including cross twill, unbleached or bleached, containing less than 85% by weight of polyester staple fibres… | 5.5% |
| 5514.19 | Fabrics, woven: unbleached or bleached, containing less than 85% by weight of synthetic staple fibres n.e.c. in item no. 55.14.1, mixed mainly or… | 1.4% |
| 5514.41 | Fabrics, woven: plain weave, printed, containing less than 85% by weight of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, exceeding… | 0.9% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5514.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.88 per kg, close to the world average of $4.94.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Heavy synthetic cotton blend exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported heavy synthetic cotton blend worth $14.9 million (1.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Lesotho alone took 66% of it. Among the main buyer markets, Zimbabwe grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $9.8M | 66% |
| Zimbabwe | $4.4M | 30% |
| Eswatini | $475K | 3.2% |
| Botswana | $68K | 0.5% |
| Zambia | $47K | 0.3% |
| Namibia | $21K | 0.1% |
| United States | $13K | 0.1% |
| Mauritius | $12K | 0.1% |
| Malawi | $10K | 0.1% |
| Mozambique | $5K | 0% |
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 5514: Woven fabrics of synthetic staple fibres, containing less than 85% by weight of such fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, of a weight exceeding 170g/m2.
Common questions
What is the value of heavy synthetic cotton blend imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported heavy synthetic cotton blend worth $19.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.0 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 191 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 23% on 2023.
Which countries supply heavy synthetic cotton blend to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 88% of the value ($17.2 million), followed by Pakistan (8%) and India (1%). The top three together account for 97%, out of 22 supplier countries in total. Taiwan grew fastest among the top ten, up 54% on the year.
What is the average import price of heavy synthetic cotton blend per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.88 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $4.94 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 synthetic cotton blend to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $13.7 million in 2017 to $19.5 million in 2024, an increase of 42%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export heavy synthetic cotton blend?
Yes. South Africa exported $14.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Eswatini. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $4.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for heavy synthetic cotton blend?
The HS code for heavy synthetic cotton blend is heading 5514. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5514.22 (36% of the value) and 5514.23 (25%). It sits in HS chapter 55 (man-made staple fibres). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5514 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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