Silk fabric exports from South Africa: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, South Africa exported silk fabric worth $2.4 million (276 tonnes). That is 12% more than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2018, at $4.1 million.
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 | $2.4M | 276 t |
| 2023 | $2.1M | 778 t |
| 2022 | $3.0M | 486 t |
| 2021 | $2.5M | 363 t |
| 2020 | $2.3M | 408 t |
| 2019 | $2.8M | 384 t |
| 2018 | $4.1M | 518 t |
| 2017 | $3.3M | 610 t |
Where South Africa exports silk fabric to
One buyer market dominates: Namibia accounted for 51% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Eswatini grew fastest (+312% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Namibia | $1.2M | 51% |
| Eswatini | $783K | 33% |
| Lesotho | $126K | 5.3% |
| Botswana | $114K | 4.8% |
| United Arab Emirates | $60K | 2.5% |
| Zambia | $54K | 2.3% |
| Malawi | $17K | 0.7% |
| Hong Kong | $5K | 0.2% |
| Zimbabwe | $3K | 0.1% |
| Switzerland | $2K | 0.1% |
Product types under HS 5007
| 5007.90 | Silk: woven fabrics n.e.c. in heading no. 5007 | 99% |
| 5007.20 | Silk: woven fabrics, containing 85% or more by weight of silk or of silk waste other than noil silk | 0.5% |
| 5007.10 | Silk: woven fabrics of noil silk | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5007.
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $8.62 per kg, 84% below the world average of $55.28, 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.
Silk fabric imports to South Africa
In 2024, South Africa imported silk fabric worth $1.9 million (476 tonnes). One supplier dominates: China accounted for 75% of the value. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+38% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $1.5M | 75% |
| Indonesia | $228K | 12% |
| Italy | $69K | 3.6% |
| India | $63K | 3.3% |
| South Korea | $51K | 2.6% |
| United Kingdom | $22K | 1.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $14K | 0.7% |
| Spain | $14K | 0.7% |
| France | $7K | 0.4% |
| Sweden | $5K | 0.3% |
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 5007: Woven fabrics of silk or of silk waste.
Common questions
What is the value of silk fabric exported by South Africa?
South Africa exported silk fabric worth $2.4 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 276 tonnes. That ranks it 16th of 128 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was up 12% on 2023.
Which countries buy silk fabric from South Africa?
Namibia was the largest buyer with 51% of the value ($1.2 million), followed by Eswatini (33%) and Lesotho (5%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 29 buyer countries in total. Hong Kong grew fastest among the top ten, up 556% on the year.
What is the average export price of silk fabric per kg?
The average declared export value was about $8.62 per kg in 2024, 84% below the world average of $55.28 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 exports of silk fabric from South Africa changed since 2017?
Exports went from $3.3 million in 2017 to $2.4 million in 2024, a fall of 28%. The peak was 2018 at $4.1 million. Monthly and weekly movements since then are in EximDataX.
Does South Africa also import silk fabric?
Yes. South Africa imported $1.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from China, Indonesia and Italy. On balance South Africa is a net exporter of this product, by about $438 thousand a year.
What is the HS code for silk fabric?
The HS code for silk fabric is heading 5007. In South Africa the largest six-digit codes were 5007.90 (99% of the value) and 5007.20 (1%). It sits in HS chapter 50 (silk). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5007 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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