Raw cotton exports from Zimbabwe: data, top buyers and prices
Exports of raw cotton by Zimbabwe reached $26.8 million in 2024 (13.4 thousand tonnes). That is 9% less than in 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $122.8 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 | $26.8M | 13.4K t |
| 2023 | $29.5M | 12.0K t |
| 2022 | $122.8M | 25.2K t |
| 2021 | $64.2M | 28.5K t |
| 2020 | $12.1M | 6.3K t |
| 2019 | $53.8M | 28.3K t |
| 2018 | $43.7M | 20.2K t |
| 2017 | $24.3M | 13.6K t |
Where Zimbabwe exports raw cotton to
The largest buyer markets were Mauritius (25%), Lesotho (23%), China (19%). Among the main buyer markets, China grew fastest (+132% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | $6.6M | 25% |
| Lesotho | $6.2M | 23% |
| China | $5.0M | 19% |
| Pakistan | $4.2M | 16% |
| South Africa | $3.4M | 13% |
| Japan | $945K | 3.5% |
| Thailand | $430K | 1.6% |
| Zambia | $0K | 0% |
| Malawi | $0K | 0% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.00 per kg, close to the world average of $1.93.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Raw cotton imports to Zimbabwe
In 2024, Zimbabwe imported raw cotton worth $2.0 million (1.4 thousand tonnes). Zambia alone supplied 99% of it.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $2.0M | 99% |
| Thailand | $16K | 0.8% |
| South Africa | $11K | 0.6% |
| China | $2K | 0.1% |
| Hong Kong | $0K | 0% |
Who is behind these numbers in Zimbabwe?
The shipment records behind Zimbabwe raw cotton exports (HS 5201): 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 5201: Cotton; not carded or combed.
Common questions
What is the value of raw cotton exported by Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe exported raw cotton worth $26.8 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 13.4 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 149 countries worldwide, with 0% of world exports. The value was down 9% on 2023.
Which countries buy raw cotton from Zimbabwe?
Mauritius was the largest buyer with 25% of the value ($6.6 million), followed by Lesotho (23%) and China (19%). The top three together account for 66%, out of 9 buyer countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 132% on the year.
What is the average export price of raw cotton per kg?
The average declared export value was about $2.00 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $1.93 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have exports of raw cotton from Zimbabwe changed since 2017?
Exports went from $24.3 million in 2017 to $26.8 million in 2024, an increase of 10%. The peak was 2022 at $122.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $47.1 million a year.
Does Zimbabwe also import raw cotton?
Yes. Zimbabwe imported $2.0 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Zambia, Thailand and South Africa. On balance Zimbabwe is a net exporter of this product, by about $24.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for raw cotton?
The HS code for raw cotton is heading 5201. In Zimbabwe all of this trade was declared under the six-digit code 5201.00. It sits in HS chapter 52 (cotton). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 5201 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 Zimbabwe. Tell us your product to see it live.
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