Light cotton fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of light cotton fabric by South Africa reached $58.5 million in 2024 (8.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. Value rose 12% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2017, at $74.6 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 | $58.5M | 8.4K t |
| 2023 | $52.1M | 7.2K t |
| 2022 | $71.9M | 8.2K t |
| 2021 | $66.2M | 7.9K t |
| 2020 | $44.2M | 6.0K t |
| 2019 | $67.5M | 8.4K t |
| 2018 | $65.9M | 10.7K t |
| 2017 | $74.6M | 8.2K t |
Where South Africa imports light cotton fabric from
The largest suppliers were China (38%), Pakistan (33%), Bahrain (14%). Among the main suppliers, Germany grew fastest (+68% on the year before).
Product types under HS 5208
| 5208.22 | Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2 | 21% |
| 5208.32 | Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2 | 20% |
| 5208.12 | Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, unbleached, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2 | 12% |
| 5208.52 | Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, printed, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2 | 11% |
| 5208.39 | Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, of weaves n.e.c. in item no. 5208.3 weighing not more than 200g/m2 | 10% |
| 5208.42 | Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, of yarns of different colours, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2 | 5.7% |
| 5208.29 | Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, bleached, of weaves n.e.c. in item no. 5208.2, weighing not more than 200g/m2 | 4.9% |
| 5208.31 | Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, dyed, plain weave, weighing not more than 100g/m2 | 2.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5208.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.96 per kg, 26% below the world average of $9.39, 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 fabric exports from South Africa
Exports of light cotton fabric by South Africa reached $16.3 million in 2024 (2.8 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Eswatini (43%), Lesotho (40%), Botswana (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+129% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $7.0M | 43% |
| Lesotho | $6.5M | 40% |
| Botswana | $2.0M | 12% |
| Namibia | $284K | 1.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $118K | 0.7% |
| Zambia | $96K | 0.6% |
| Malawi | $64K | 0.4% |
| United Kingdom | $27K | 0.2% |
| United States | $25K | 0.2% |
| Mozambique | $22K | 0.1% |
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 5208: Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, weighing not more than 200 g/m2.
Common questions
What is the value of light cotton fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported light cotton fabric worth $58.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 8.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 214 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 12% on 2023.
Which countries supply light cotton fabric to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 38% of the value ($22.0 million), followed by Pakistan (33%) and Bahrain (14%). The top three together account for 85%, out of 60 supplier countries in total. Turkey grew fastest among the top ten, up 78% on the year.
What is the average import price of light cotton fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.96 per kg in 2024, 26% below the world average of $9.39 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 fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $74.6 million in 2017 to $58.5 million in 2024, a fall of 22%. The peak was 2017 at $74.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export light cotton fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $16.3 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Lesotho and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $42.2 million a year.
What is the HS code for light cotton fabric?
The HS code for light cotton fabric is heading 5208. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5208.22 (21% of the value) and 5208.32 (20%). It sits in HS chapter 52 (cotton). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5208 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
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