South Africa's textile imports up 10% in 2024 despite December decline

10 Feb '25

2 min read

South Africa's textile imports up 10% in 2024 despite December decline

Pic: Adobe Stock

Insights

South Africa's textile imports totalled 65,476 million rand (~$3.55 billion) in 2024, marking a 10 per cent rise from 2023.
Exports increased slightly by 1.8 per cent to 23,578.8 million rand (~$1.28 billion).
However, in December 2024, imports fell by 14.6 per cent MoM, while exports declined by 26.5 per cent.
Despite monthly drop, overall trade in textiles showed an upward trend over the year.

South Africa’s imports of textiles and textile articles (under Chapters 50–63) totalled 65,476.0 million rand (~$3,551.95 million) in 2024, according to preliminary data released by the South African Revenue Service in its December 2024 report. This marks a 10.0 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. The trade figures include transactions with BELN (Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Namibia) countries.

Official merchandise trade statistics reveal that during the same period in 2023, the country imported textiles and textile articles worth 59,528.9 million rand. South Africa continues to be a net importer in this product segment.

Exports of textiles and related products edged up by 1.8 per cent, amounting to 23,578.8 million rand (~$1,279.11 million) in 2024, compared to 23,155.9 million rand in 2023.

In December 2024, South Africa’s imports of textiles and textile articles under Chapters 50–63 stood at 4,678.1 million rand (~$253.78 million), reflecting a 14.6 per cent decrease from imports of 5,477.4 million rand in November 2024.

The country’s exports under the same chapters declined by 26.5 per cent to 1,878.2 million rand (~$101.89 million) in December 2024, down from 2,555.8 million rand in November 2024.

South Africa’s imports of textile products decreased in December 2024 on a month-on-month basis. Its exports of these goods also followed a downward trend. However, overall trade on both sides showed an upward trend throughout 2024.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)