Synthetic strip fabric imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of synthetic strip fabric by South Africa reached $11.6 million in 2024 (4.7 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 4% 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 .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11.6M | 4.7K t |
| 2023 | $11.2M | 4.1K t |
| 2022 | $5.8M | 2.2K t |
| 2021 | $8.3M | 3.3K t |
| 2020 | $4.7M | 2.3K t |
| 2019 | $7.7M | 3.5K t |
| 2018 | $9.9M | 4.3K t |
| 2017 | $7.1M | 3.2K t |
Where South Africa imports synthetic strip fabric from
Most of the value came from China (29%), Eswatini (21%), Saudi Arabia (17%). Among the main suppliers, Belgium grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $3.3M | 29% |
| Eswatini | $2.4M | 21% |
| Saudi Arabia | $2.0M | 17% |
| Vietnam | $1.7M | 14% |
| Pakistan | $524K | 4.5% |
| Netherlands | $480K | 4.1% |
| India | $324K | 2.8% |
| Taiwan | $296K | 2.5% |
| Belgium | $181K | 1.6% |
| Italy | $75K | 0.6% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.50 per kg, close to the world average of $2.53.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Synthetic strip fabric exports from South Africa
Exports of synthetic strip fabric by South Africa reached $2.6 million in 2024 (1.0 thousand tonnes). One buyer market dominates: Eswatini accounted for 84% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Namibia grew fastest (+38% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Eswatini | $2.2M | 84% |
| Namibia | $205K | 7.8% |
| Zimbabwe | $104K | 4% |
| New Zealand | $46K | 1.8% |
| Lesotho | $19K | 0.7% |
| Botswana | $18K | 0.7% |
| Ghana | $11K | 0.4% |
| Mauritania | $5K | 0.2% |
| Taiwan | $4K | 0.1% |
| United Kingdom | $2K | 0.1% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa synthetic strip fabric imports (HS 5407.20): 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 5407.20: Fabrics, woven: from strip or the like, of synthetic textile materials.
Common questions
What is the value of synthetic strip fabric imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported synthetic strip fabric worth $11.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 4.7 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 25th of 198 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 4% on 2023.
Which countries supply synthetic strip fabric to South Africa?
China was the largest supplier with 29% of the value ($3.3 million), followed by Eswatini (21%) and Saudi Arabia (17%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 26 supplier countries in total. Saudi Arabia grew fastest among the top ten, up 127% on the year.
What is the average import price of synthetic strip fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.50 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $2.53 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of synthetic strip fabric to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $7.1 million in 2017 to $11.6 million in 2024, an increase of 64%. 2024 was the highest year in the period. Over 8 years the average was $8.3 million a year.
Does South Africa also export synthetic strip fabric?
Yes. South Africa exported $2.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Eswatini, Namibia and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $9.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for synthetic strip fabric?
The HS code for synthetic strip fabric is subheading 5407.20. It sits in HS chapter 54 (man-made filaments; strip and the like of man-made textile materials). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5407 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For South Africa, EximDataX reads the shipment records of the countries that trade with it and shows the companies on both sides. We can walk you through your product on a short call.
Same product, other countries
World synthetic strip fabric trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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