Light cotton blend fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of light cotton blend fabric by South Africa reached $13.6 million in 2024 (2.1 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 24% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2017, at $17.5 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 | $13.6M | 2.1K t |
| 2023 | $11.0M | 1.4K t |
| 2022 | $11.1M | 1.4K t |
| 2021 | $11.0M | 1.3K t |
| 2020 | $10.0M | 1.3K t |
| 2019 | $11.6M | 1.4K t |
| 2018 | $10.9M | 1.2K t |
| 2017 | $17.5M | 1.7K t |
Where South Africa imports light cotton blend fabric from
The largest suppliers were China (31%), Germany (31%), Pakistan (29%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+60% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $4.2M | 31% |
| Germany | $4.2M | 31% |
| Pakistan | $3.9M | 29% |
| India | $534K | 3.9% |
| Thailand | $388K | 2.9% |
| Spain | $79K | 0.6% |
| Turkey | $55K | 0.4% |
| Italy | $44K | 0.3% |
| Indonesia | $40K | 0.3% |
| Vietnam | $14K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 5210
| 5210.41 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing 200g/m2 or less, of yarns of… | 37% |
| 5210.31 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing 200g/m2 or less, dyed, plain weave | 21% |
| 5210.21 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, bleached, plain weave, weighing 200g/m2 or… | 15% |
| 5210.11 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, unbleached, plain weave, weighing 200g/m2… | 11% |
| 5210.51 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing 200g/m2 or less, printed, plain… | 4.9% |
| 5210.49 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing 200g/m2 or less, of yarns of… | 3.6% |
| 5210.39 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing 200g/m2 or less, dyed, of weaves… | 2.5% |
| 5210.59 | Fabrics, woven: containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing 200g/m2 or less, printed, of… | 1.6% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5210.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.53 per kg, 30% below the world average of $9.33, 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.
Light cotton blend fabric exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported light cotton blend fabric worth $1.4 million (172 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Eswatini accounted for 82% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+294% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $1.1M | 82% |
| Lesotho | $140K | 10% |
| Namibia | $34K | 2.5% |
| Tanzania | $12K | 0.9% |
| Malawi | $10K | 0.7% |
| United Arab Emirates | $10K | 0.7% |
| Botswana | $10K | 0.7% |
| Zimbabwe | $6K | 0.5% |
| Canada | $6K | 0.4% |
| Zambia | $5K | 0.3% |
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
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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 5210: Woven fabrics of cotton, containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, mixed mainly or solely with man-made fibres, weighing not more than 200 g/m2.
Common questions
What is the value of light cotton blend fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported light cotton blend fabric worth $13.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 24th of 197 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 24% on 2023.
Which countries supply light cotton blend fabric to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 31% of the value ($4.2 million), followed by Germany (31%) and Pakistan (29%). The top three together account for 91%, out of 33 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 60% on the year.
What is the average import price of light cotton blend fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.53 per kg in 2024, 30% below the world average of $9.33 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 light cotton blend fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $17.5 million in 2017 to $13.6 million in 2024, a fall of 22%. The peak was 2017 at $17.5 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export light cotton blend fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.4 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 $12.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for light cotton blend fabric?
The HS code for light cotton blend fabric is heading 5210. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5210.41 (37% of the value) and 5210.31 (21%). It sits in HS chapter 52 (cotton). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5210 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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