Light cotton fabric imports in Uganda: data, top suppliers and prices
Uganda imported $2.5 million of light cotton fabric in 2024 (709 tonnes). Value rose 36% on 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 9% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2019, at $7.4 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 | $2.5M | 709 t |
| 2023 | $1.8M | 877 t |
| 2022 | $3.1M | 923 t |
| 2021 | $5.6M | 937 t |
| 2020 | $3.2M | 690 t |
| 2019 | $7.4M | 1.0K t |
| 2018 | $5.0M | 1.5K t |
| 2017 | $4.7M | 796 t |
Where Uganda imports light cotton fabric from
China alone supplied 93% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+54% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| China | $2.3M | 93% |
| Tanzania | $96K | 3.9% |
| India | $38K | 1.5% |
| Kenya | $19K | 0.8% |
| DR Congo | $7K | 0.3% |
| Cote d'Ivoire | $4K | 0.2% |
| Pakistan | $2K | 0.1% |
| Benin | $1K | 0.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | $1K | 0% |
| Turkey | $1K | 0% |
Product types under HS 5208
| 5208.52 | Printed medium plain cotton fabric | 64% |
| 5208.21 | Bleached light plain cotton fabric | 29% |
| 5208.31 | Dyed light plain cotton fabric | 2.8% |
| 5208.42 | Multi-colour medium plain cotton fabric | 1.4% |
| 5208.51 | Printed light plain cotton fabric | 1.2% |
| 5208.39 | Dyed light woven cotton fabric (other weaves) | 0.8% |
| 5208.59 | Printed light woven cotton fabric (other weaves) | 0.8% |
| 5208.41 | Multi-colour light plain cotton fabric | 0.2% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5208.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $3.46 per kg, 63% below the world average of $9.39, 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.
Light cotton fabric exports from Uganda
Exports of light cotton fabric by Uganda reached $1.1 million in 2024 (423 tonnes). One buyer market dominates: DR Congo accounted for 100% of the value.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | $1.1M | 100% |
| Thailand | $4K | 0.4% |
| Rwanda | $1K | 0.1% |
| Denmark | $0K | 0% |
| Switzerland | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Uganda?
The shipment records behind Uganda light cotton fabric imports (HS 5208): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
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: Woven fabrics of cotton, containing 85% or more by weight of cotton, weighing not more than 200 g/m2.
Common questions
What is the value of light cotton fabric imported by Uganda?
Uganda imported light cotton fabric worth $2.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 709 tonnes. That ranks it 127th of 214 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 36% on 2023.
Which countries supply light cotton fabric to Uganda?
China was the largest supplier with 93% of the value ($2.3 million), followed by Tanzania (4%) and India (2%). The top three together account for 99%, out of 16 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 54% on the year.
What is the average import price of light cotton fabric per kg?
The average declared import value was about $3.46 per kg in 2024, 63% below the world average of $9.39 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of light cotton fabric to Uganda changed since 2017?
Imports went from $4.7 million in 2017 to $2.5 million in 2024, a fall of 48%. The peak was 2019 at $7.4 million. Over 8 years the average was $4.2 million a year.
Does Uganda also export light cotton fabric?
Yes. Uganda exported $1.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to the DR Congo, Thailand and Rwanda. On balance Uganda is a net importer of this product, by about $1.3 million a year.
What is the HS code for light cotton fabric?
The HS code for light cotton fabric is heading 5208. In Uganda the largest six-digit codes were 5208.52 (64% of the value) and 5208.21 (29%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
Shipment-level records for Uganda reach EximDataX from a direct customs feed, with company names, dates and declared values. We can show them for your product on a short call.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
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