Narrow woven fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $14.9 million of narrow woven fabric in 2024 (1.5 thousand tonnes). Value rose 30% on 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 | $14.9M | 1.5K t |
| 2023 | $11.5M | 1.4K t |
| 2022 | $15.6M | 1.4K t |
| 2021 | $15.3M | 1.6K t |
| 2020 | $8.5M | 1.1K t |
| 2019 | $10.0M | 1.6K t |
| 2018 | $10.2M | 1.8K t |
| 2017 | $10.0M | 2.4K t |
Where South Africa imports narrow woven fabric from
China alone supplied 62% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+108% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $9.2M | 62% |
| Philippines | $2.2M | 15% |
| India | $700K | 4.7% |
| Eswatini | $489K | 3.3% |
| Germany | $486K | 3.3% |
| Brazil | $198K | 1.3% |
| Italy | $191K | 1.3% |
| Taiwan | $186K | 1.3% |
| United States | $158K | 1.1% |
| Vietnam | $134K | 0.9% |
Product types under HS 5806
| 5806.32 | Fabrics, narrow woven fabrics, n.e.c. in heading no. 5806, of man-made fibres (excluding goods of heading no. 5807) | 70% |
| 5806.10 | Fabrics: woven pile (including terry towelling and similar terry fabrics) and chenille fabrics (excluding goods of heading no. 5807) | 9.6% |
| 5806.39 | Fabrics: narrow woven fabrics, n.e.c. in heading no. 5806, of textile materials n.e.c. in item no. 5806.3 (excluding goods of heading no. 5807) | 8.6% |
| 5806.20 | Fabrics: narrow (excluding pile fabrics), containing by weight 5% or more of elastomeric yarn or rubber thread | 7.2% |
| 5806.31 | Fabrics: narrow woven fabrics, n.e.c. in heading no. 5806, of cotton (excluding goods of heading no. 5807) | 3.1% |
| 5806.40 | Fabrics: narrow woven, consisting of warp without weft, assembled by means of an adhesive (bolducs) | 1.7% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5806.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $10.09 per kg, close to the world average of $8.71.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Narrow woven fabric exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $10.6 million of narrow woven fabric in 2024 (2.3 thousand tonnes). The largest buyer markets were United States (37%), Lesotho (15%), Australia (12%). Among the main buyer markets, Namibia grew fastest (+106% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $3.9M | 37% |
| Lesotho | $1.6M | 15% |
| Australia | $1.3M | 13% |
| Eswatini | $1.1M | 10% |
| Canada | $659K | 6.2% |
| Namibia | $374K | 3.5% |
| France | $263K | 2.5% |
| Germany | $219K | 2.1% |
| Botswana | $154K | 1.5% |
| Zimbabwe | $135K | 1.3% |
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
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 5806: Fabrics; narrow woven, other than goods of heading 5807; narrow fabrics consisting of warp without weft assembled by means of an adhesive (bolducs).
Common questions
What is the value of narrow woven fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported narrow woven fabric worth $14.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 1.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 55th of 217 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 30% on 2023.
Which countries supply narrow woven fabric to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 62% of the value ($9.2 million), followed by the Philippines (15%) and India (5%). The top three together account for 82%, out of 55 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 108% on the year.
What is the average import price of narrow woven fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $10.09 per kg in 2024, 16% above the world average of $8.71 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 narrow woven fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $10.0 million in 2017 to $14.9 million in 2024, an increase of 49%. The peak was 2022 at $15.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export narrow woven fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $10.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the United States, Lesotho and Australia. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $4.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for narrow woven fabric?
The HS code for narrow woven fabric is heading 5806. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5806.32 (70% of the value) and 5806.10 (10%). It sits in HS chapter 58 (fabrics; special woven fabrics, tufted textile fabrics, lace, tapestries, trimmings, embroidery). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5806 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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