Plain weave polyester cotton imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported plain weave polyester cotton worth $12.7 million (2.4 thousand tonnes). It ranks 7th of 174 countries for imports of this product. That is close to the 2023 level. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 5% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $21.1 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
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Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12.7M | 2.4K t |
| 2023 | $12.7M | 2.3K t |
| 2022 | $21.1M | 3.4K t |
| 2021 | $15.6M | 1.8K t |
| 2020 | $14.7M | 1.5K t |
| 2019 | $20.3M | 2.1K t |
| 2018 | $19.1M | 2.0K t |
| 2017 | $18.5M | 3.7K t |
Where South Africa imports plain weave polyester cotton from
The largest suppliers were Pakistan (48%), China (45%), Thailand (7%).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | $6.1M | 48% |
| China | $5.7M | 45% |
| Thailand | $924K | 7.3% |
| India | $50K | 0.4% |
| Eswatini | $14K | 0.1% |
| Indonesia | $11K | 0.1% |
| Turkey | $5K | 0% |
| Japan | $2K | 0% |
| Lesotho | $0K | 0% |
| Hungary | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.25 per kg, 28% below the world average of $7.27, 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.
Plain weave polyester cotton exports from South Africa
Exports of plain weave polyester cotton by South Africa reached $301 thousand in 2024 (38 tonnes). Most of it went to Eswatini (36%), Mozambique (34%), Lesotho (30%). Among the main buyer markets, Lesotho grew fastest (+105% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $108K | 36% |
| Mozambique | $101K | 34% |
| Lesotho | $91K | 30% |
| India | $1K | 0.2% |
| Namibia | $0K | 0.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $0K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa plain weave polyester cotton imports (HS 5513.21): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
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 5513.21: Fabrics, woven: plain weave, dyed, containing less than 85% by weight of polyester staple fibres, mixed mainly or solely with cotton, not exceeding 170g/m2.
Common questions
What is the value of plain weave polyester cotton imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported plain weave polyester cotton worth $12.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 7th of 174 countries worldwide, with 3% of world imports. The value was up 0% on 2023.
Which countries supply plain weave polyester cotton to South Africa?
Pakistan was the largest supplier with 48% of the value ($6.1 million), followed by China (45%) and Thailand (7%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 10 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 66% on the year.
What is the average import price of plain weave polyester cotton per kg?
The average declared import value was about $5.25 per kg in 2024, 28% below the world average of $7.27 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of plain weave polyester cotton to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $18.5 million in 2017 to $12.7 million in 2024, a fall of 31%. The peak was 2022 at $21.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $16.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also export plain weave polyester cotton?
Yes. South Africa exported $301 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Mozambique and Lesotho. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $12.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for plain weave polyester cotton?
The HS code for plain weave polyester cotton is subheading 5513.21. It sits in HS chapter 55 (man-made staple fibres). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5513 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World plain weave polyester cotton trade: top importers and exporters
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