Retail cotton yarn imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
South Africa imported $9.4 million of retail cotton yarn in 2024 (2.5 thousand tonnes). It ranks 7th of 190 countries for imports of this product. Value rose 27% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 38% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $13.6 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 | $9.4M | 2.5K t |
| 2023 | $7.4M | 2.0K t |
| 2022 | $13.6M | 3.2K t |
| 2021 | $3.9M | 1.2K t |
| 2020 | $267K | 30 t |
| 2019 | $398K | 67 t |
| 2018 | $538K | 89 t |
| 2017 | $979K | 77 t |
Where South Africa imports retail cotton yarn from
Lesotho alone supplied 98% of it. Among the main suppliers, Lesotho grew fastest (+30% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Lesotho | $9.2M | 98% |
| France | $75K | 0.8% |
| India | $57K | 0.6% |
| Turkey | $41K | 0.4% |
| China | $16K | 0.2% |
| Brazil | $13K | 0.1% |
| Italy | $6K | 0.1% |
| Netherlands | $3K | 0% |
| New Zealand | $3K | 0% |
| Eswatini | $2K | 0% |
Product types under HS 5207
| 5207.10 | Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, put up for retail sale | 98% |
| 5207.90 | Cotton yarn: (not sewing thread), containing less than 85% by weight of cotton, put up for retail sale | 1.8% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5207.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.84 per kg, 34% below the world average of $5.83, 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.
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 5207: Cotton yarn (other than sewing thread), put up for retail sale.
Common questions
What is the value of retail cotton yarn imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported retail cotton yarn worth $9.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.5 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 7th of 190 countries worldwide, with 2% of world imports. The value was up 27% on 2023.
Which countries supply retail cotton yarn to South Africa?
Lesotho was the largest supplier with 98% of the value ($9.2 million), followed by France (1%) and India (1%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 34 supplier countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 774% on the year.
What is the average import price of retail cotton yarn per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.84 per kg in 2024, 34% below the world average of $5.83 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 retail cotton yarn to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $979 thousand in 2017 to $9.4 million in 2024, an increase of 864%. The peak was 2022 at $13.6 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
What is the HS code for retail cotton yarn?
The HS code for retail cotton yarn is heading 5207. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5207.10 (98% of the value) and 5207.90 (2%). It sits in HS chapter 52 (cotton). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5207 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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