Printed medium plain cotton fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of printed medium plain cotton fabric by South Africa reached $6.5 million in 2024 (946 tonnes). That is 34% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2021, at $10.2 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 | $6.5M | 946 t |
| 2023 | $4.9M | 672 t |
| 2022 | $10.0M | 858 t |
| 2021 | $10.2M | 996 t |
| 2020 | $4.7M | 780 t |
| 2019 | $8.2M | 796 t |
| 2018 | $7.3M | 995 t |
| 2017 | $8.5M | 934 t |
Where South Africa imports printed medium plain cotton fabric from
Most of the value came from China (40%), Pakistan (28%), Bahrain (19%). Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+59% on the year before).
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $6.90 per kg, 25% below the world average of $9.22, 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.
Printed medium plain cotton fabric exports from South Africa
South Africa exported $2.9 million of printed medium plain cotton fabric in 2024 (223 tonnes). The largest buyer markets were Eswatini (36%), Lesotho (34%), Botswana (28%). Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+441% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $1.0M | 36% |
| Lesotho | $1.0M | 34% |
| Botswana | $813K | 28% |
| United States | $18K | 0.6% |
| United Kingdom | $18K | 0.6% |
| Namibia | $8K | 0.3% |
| Australia | $6K | 0.2% |
| Germany | $4K | 0.1% |
| Japan | $2K | 0.1% |
| Zambia | $1K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa printed medium plain cotton fabric imports (HS 5208.52): 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 5208.52: Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, printed, plain weave, weighing more than 100g/m2 but not more than 200g/m2.
Common questions
What is the value of printed medium plain cotton fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported printed medium plain cotton fabric worth $6.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 946 tonnes. That ranks it 38th of 181 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 34% on 2023.
Which countries supply printed medium plain cotton fabric to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 40% of the value ($2.6 million), followed by Pakistan (28%) and Bahrain (19%). The top three together account for 87%, out of 19 supplier countries in total. Italy grew fastest among the top ten, up 213% on the year.
What is the average import price of printed medium plain cotton fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $6.90 per kg in 2024, 25% below the world average of $9.22 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have imports of printed medium plain cotton fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $8.5 million in 2017 to $6.5 million in 2024, a fall of 23%. The peak was 2021 at $10.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $7.5 million a year.
Does South Africa also export printed medium plain cotton fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Lesotho and Botswana. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $3.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for printed medium plain cotton fabric?
The HS code for printed medium plain cotton fabric is subheading 5208.52. It sits in HS chapter 52 (cotton). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5208 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 printed medium plain cotton fabric trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
- Bleached medium plain cotton fabric
- Dyed medium plain cotton fabric
- Unbleached medium plain cotton fabric
- Dyed light woven cotton fabric (other weaves)
- Multi-colour medium plain cotton fabric
- Bleached light woven cotton fabric (other weaves)
- Unbleached light woven cotton fabric (other weaves)
- All South Africa trade data
- HS 5208 codes
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