Polyester staple fiber exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported polyester staple fiber worth $23.8 million (28.4 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. That is 21% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $23.8M | 28.4K t |
| 2023 | $19.6M | 21.7K t |
| 2022 | $24.1M | 18.9K t |
| 2021 | $17.1M | 20.1K t |
| 2020 | $14.5M | 20.6K t |
| 2019 | $19.1M | 17.5K t |
| 2018 | $16.1M | 13.3K t |
| 2017 | $15.0M | 14.9K t |
Where South Africa exports polyester staple fiber to
The largest buyer markets were Poland (20%), Zambia (15%), United Kingdom (10%). Trade is spread widely: the top three buyer markets together make up only 45%. Among the main buyer markets, Poland grew fastest (+223% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Poland | $4.7M | 20% |
| Zambia | $3.6M | 15% |
| United Kingdom | $2.4M | 10% |
| Spain | $1.8M | 7.7% |
| Germany | $1.5M | 6.2% |
| Belgium | $1.2M | 5.1% |
| Zimbabwe | $1.2M | 5.1% |
| Morocco | $1.1M | 4.7% |
| France | $866K | 3.6% |
| Bulgaria | $744K | 3.1% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $0.84 per kg, 29% below the world average of $1.19, 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.
Polyester staple fiber imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported polyester staple fiber worth $11.8 million (9.8 thousand tonnes). China alone supplied 71% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+46% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $8.4M | 71% |
| India | $1.2M | 9.9% |
| South Korea | $1.0M | 8.8% |
| Taiwan | $392K | 3.3% |
| Belgium | $341K | 2.9% |
| United States | $182K | 1.5% |
| Japan | $138K | 1.2% |
| Vietnam | $99K | 0.8% |
| United Kingdom | $38K | 0.3% |
| Malaysia | $30K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa polyester staple fiber exports (HS 5503.20): 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 5503.20: Fibres: synthetic staple fibres, of polyesters, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning.
Common questions
What is the value of polyester staple fiber exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported polyester staple fiber worth $23.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 28.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 21st of 107 countries worldwide, with 1% of world exports. The value was up 21% on 2023.
Which countries buy polyester staple fiber from South Africa?
Poland was the largest buyer with 20% of the value ($4.7 million), followed by Zambia (15%) and the United Kingdom (10%). The top three together account for 45%, out of 53 buyer countries in total. Poland grew fastest among the top ten, up 223% on the year.
What is the average export price of polyester staple fiber per kg?
The average declared export value was about $0.84 per kg in 2024, 29% below the world average of $1.19 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of polyester staple fiber from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $15.0 million in 2017 to $23.8 million in 2024, an increase of 59%. The peak was 2022 at $24.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $18.7 million a year.
Does South Africa also import polyester staple fiber?
Yes. South Africa imported $11.8 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, India and South Korea. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $11.9 million a year.
What is the HS code for polyester staple fiber?
The HS code for polyester staple fiber is subheading 5503.20. It sits in HS chapter 55 (man-made staple fibres). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5503 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 polyester staple fiber trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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