Plied polyester staple yarn imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $2.2 million of plied polyester staple yarn in 2024 (679 tonnes). That is 29% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2023, at $3.1 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 | $2.2M | 679 t |
| 2023 | $3.1M | 998 t |
| 2022 | $2.4M | 754 t |
| 2021 | $2.3M | 956 t |
| 2020 | $1.7M | 735 t |
| 2019 | $2.4M | 922 t |
| 2018 | $1.8M | 724 t |
| 2017 | $2.5M | 1.1K t |
Where South Africa imports plied polyester staple yarn from
Most of the value came from India (40%), China (33%), Malaysia (17%). Among the main suppliers, Indonesia grew fastest (+45% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $875K | 40% |
| China | $719K | 33% |
| Malaysia | $366K | 17% |
| Indonesia | $130K | 6% |
| Taiwan | $78K | 3.6% |
| New Zealand | $0K | 0% |
| United States | $0K | 0% |
| France | $0K | 0% |
| Germany | $0K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.20 per kg, 21% above the world average of $2.65. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Plied polyester staple yarn exports from South Africa
Exports of plied polyester staple yarn by South Africa reached $231 thousand in 2024 (81 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Zimbabwe accounted for 75% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Mozambique grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | $174K | 75% |
| Eswatini | $33K | 14% |
| Mozambique | $18K | 7.6% |
| Kenya | $4K | 1.6% |
| Zambia | $2K | 0.9% |
| Uganda | $1K | 0.3% |
| Namibia | $0K | 0.2% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa plied polyester staple yarn imports (HS 5509.22): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 5509.22: Yarn: (not sewing thread), multiple (folded) or cabled yarn, of synthetic staple fibres, containing 85% or more by weight of polyester, not put up for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of plied polyester staple yarn imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported plied polyester staple yarn worth $2.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 679 tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 163 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was down 29% on 2023.
Which countries supply plied polyester staple yarn to South Africa?
India was the largest supplier with 40% of the value ($875 thousand), followed by China (33%) and Malaysia (17%). The top three together account for 90%, out of 9 supplier countries in total. The United States grew fastest among the top ten, up 210% on the year.
What is the average import price of plied polyester staple yarn per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.20 per kg in 2024, 21% above the world average of $2.65 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of plied polyester staple yarn to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $2.5 million in 2017 to $2.2 million in 2024, a fall of 12%. The peak was 2023 at $3.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $2.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export plied polyester staple yarn?
Yes. South Africa exported $231 thousand worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zimbabwe, Eswatini and Mozambique. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $1.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for plied polyester staple yarn?
The HS code for plied polyester staple yarn is subheading 5509.22. It sits in HS chapter 55 (man-made staple fibres). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5509 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX rebuilds South Africa trade from the customs records of its trading partners, so the companies shipping to and from it are visible. Ask for a live look at your product.
Same product, other countries
World plied polyester staple yarn trade: top importers and exporters
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.