Pile fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $9.1 million of pile fabric in 2024 (2.2 thousand tonnes). That is close to the 2023 level. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2017, at $12.8 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 | $9.1M | 2.2K t |
| 2023 | $9.0M | 1.8K t |
| 2022 | $10.3M | 2.0K t |
| 2021 | $11.2M | 1.8K t |
| 2020 | $8.1M | 1.6K t |
| 2019 | $11.5M | 2.5K t |
| 2018 | $10.8M | 1.8K t |
| 2017 | $12.8M | 3.0K t |
Where South Africa imports pile fabric from
One supplier dominates: China accounted for 76% of the value. Among the main suppliers, South Korea grew fastest (+155% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $7.0M | 77% |
| India | $391K | 4.3% |
| South Korea | $349K | 3.8% |
| Turkey | $287K | 3.2% |
| Italy | $269K | 3% |
| Belgium | $229K | 2.5% |
| Indonesia | $214K | 2.4% |
| United Kingdom | $159K | 1.7% |
| Portugal | $108K | 1.2% |
| Spain | $55K | 0.6% |
Product types under HS 5801
| 5801.22 | Fabrics: woven pile, of cotton, cut corduroy, other than fabrics of heading no. 5802 or 5806 | 40% |
| 5801.37 | Fabrics: woven pile, of man-made fibres, warp pile fabrics, other than fabrics of heading no. 5802 or 5806 | 14% |
| 5801.36 | Fabrics: chenille, of man-made fibres, other than fabrics of heading no. 5802 or 5806 | 11% |
| 5801.90 | Fabrics: woven pile and chenille, of textile materials n.e.c. in heading no. 5801, other than fabrics of heading no. 5802 or 5806 | 9.4% |
| 5801.31 | Fabrics: woven pile, of man-made fibres, uncut weft pile fabrics, other than fabrics of heading no. 5802 or 5806 | 7.9% |
| 5801.27 | Fabrics: woven pile, of cotton, warp pile fabrics, other than fabrics of heading no. 5802 or 5806 | 5.8% |
| 5801.32 | Fabrics: woven pile, of man-made fibres, cut corduroy, other than fabrics of heading no. 5802 or 5806 | 5.6% |
| 5801.33 | Fabrics: woven pile, of man-made fibres, other weft pile fabrics, other than fabrics of heading no. 5802 or 5806 | 2.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5801.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $4.17 per kg, 48% below the world average of $7.96, 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.
Pile fabric exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $432 thousand of pile fabric in 2024 (69 tonnes). Most of it went to Eswatini (45%), Namibia (17%), Botswana (9%). Among the main buyer markets, Seychelles grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $195K | 45% |
| Namibia | $73K | 17% |
| Botswana | $41K | 9.4% |
| Lesotho | $37K | 8.4% |
| Mauritius | $21K | 4.9% |
| Seychelles | $17K | 3.9% |
| Tanzania | $10K | 2.2% |
| United Arab Emirates | $8K | 1.8% |
| United States | $8K | 1.7% |
| Zambia | $6K | 1.4% |
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 5801: Fabrics; woven pile and chenille fabrics, other than fabrics of heading no. 5802 or 5806.
Common questions
What is the value of pile fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported pile fabric worth $9.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 49th of 190 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 2% on 2023.
Which countries supply pile fabric to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 76% of the value ($7.0 million), followed by India (4%) and South Korea (4%). The top three together account for 85%, out of 32 supplier countries in total. South Korea grew fastest among the top ten, up 155% on the year.
What is the average import price of pile fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $4.17 per kg in 2024, 48% below the world average of $7.96 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 pile fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $12.8 million in 2017 to $9.1 million in 2024, a fall of 29%. The peak was 2017 at $12.8 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also export pile fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $432 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Namibia and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $8.7 million a year.
What is the HS code for pile fabric?
The HS code for pile fabric is heading 5801. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5801.22 (40% of the value) and 5801.37 (14%). 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 5801 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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