Synthetic staple fibre imports in Zimbabwe: data, top suppliers and prices
Zimbabwe imported $2.2 million of synthetic staple fibre in 2024 (2.2 thousand tonnes). That is 13% 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 | $2.2M | 2.2K t |
| 2023 | $2.0M | 1.9K t |
| 2022 | $2.6M | 1.9K t |
| 2021 | $2.5M | 2.0K t |
| 2020 | $1.0M | 999 t |
| 2019 | $705K | 496 t |
| 2018 | $2.0M | 1.2K t |
| 2017 | $1.6M | 1.2K t |
Where Zimbabwe imports synthetic staple fibre from
South Africa alone supplied 68% of it. Among the main suppliers, China grew fastest (+326% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | $1.5M | 68% |
| China | $486K | 22% |
| Zambia | $104K | 4.7% |
| Hong Kong | $92K | 4.2% |
| Netherlands | $24K | 1.1% |
Product types under HS 5503
| 5503.20 | Polyester staple fiber | 79% |
| 5503.40 | Polypropylene staple fiber | 15% |
| 5503.30 | Acrylic staple fiber | 5.5% |
| 5503.90 | Synthetic staple fiber (other) | 0.5% |
Codes and full descriptions: HS heading 5503.
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.01 per kg, 33% below the world average of $1.51, 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 Zimbabwe?
The shipment records behind Zimbabwe synthetic staple fibre imports (HS 5503): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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.
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 5503: Synthetic staple fibres, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning.
Common questions
What is the value of synthetic staple fibre imported by Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe imported synthetic staple fibre worth $2.2 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 2.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 102nd of 200 countries worldwide, with 0% of world imports. The value was up 13% on 2023.
Which countries supply synthetic staple fibre to Zimbabwe?
South Africa was the largest supplier with 68% of the value ($1.5 million), followed by China (22%) and Zambia (5%). The top three together account for 95%, out of 5 supplier countries in total. China grew fastest among the top ten, up 326% on the year.
What is the average import price of synthetic staple fibre per kg?
The average declared import value was about $1.01 per kg in 2024, 33% below the world average of $1.51 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of synthetic staple fibre to Zimbabwe changed since 2017?
Imports went from $1.6 million in 2017 to $2.2 million in 2024, an increase of 34%. The peak was 2022 at $2.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $1.8 million a year.
What is the HS code for synthetic staple fibre?
The HS code for synthetic staple fibre is heading 5503. In Zimbabwe the largest six-digit codes were 5503.20 (79% of the value) and 5503.40 (15%).
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
For Zimbabwe, 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 staple fibre trade: top importers and exporters
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