Not carded or combed cotton market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not carded or combed cotton in South Africa saw the introduction of a formal regulatory framework in 2018, which required all producers, processors, and traders to register with Cotton SA and submit regular returns. This period began with market volume at 5.7 million tons in 2018, which grew to 6.3 million tons the following year. A contraction to 5.6 million tons occurred in 2020, a trend later attributed to the slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

After recovering to 6.4 million tons in 2021, market volume fell again to 5.4 million tons in 2022 amidst the pandemic's lingering effects, although cotton prices were favorable. A more profound structural shift was evident by 2023, as the liberalization of agriculture exposed the sector to global competition. This led to a drastic reduction in cotton planting area to just 17,994 hectares and the closure of numerous spinning factories due to low-cost imports, contributing to a market volume of 5.3 million tons. Entering 2024, global factors such as a sharp decline in China's cotton imports and the emphasis on sector master plans continued to shape the market's direction.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

World map of production of not carded or combed cotton, 2017-2020

Africa's production of not carded or combed cotton declined in 2020, following two years of growth. The continent produced 6 539 K t that year, marking a 10.3% decrease from 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually increased by 3.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.1%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 7 291 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 11.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After rising for two consecutive years, Africa's production value of not carded or combed cotton fell in 2020. Output was valued at 10 427 M $ US, representing a significant 16.1% drop from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 12 434 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with an 18.7% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa's exports of not carded or combed cotton decreased in 2020, ending a two-year upward trend. The continent exported 1 076 K t that year, a modest 9.4% decline from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 17%, averaging 5.4% per year. The maximum volume was in 2019 at 1 187 K t, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 23.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of Africa's not carded or combed cotton by volume were Bangladesh, Singapore, and China, accounting for 24.7%, 8.5%, and 8.1% of exports, respectively. Together, they made up 41.3% of total exports, indicating a diversified market with many other countries involved.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Africa's export value of not carded or combed cotton declined in 2020 after two years of growth. Exports totaled 1 716 M $ US, down 15.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 14%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 2 025 M $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 20.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Africa's exports of not carded or combed cotton in value terms were distributed across numerous countries. Bangladesh, Singapore, and China were the leading destinations, contributing 25.2%, 8.8%, and 8.3% of export value, respectively. Their combined share was 42.3%, highlighting a broad and varied export structure.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports not carded or combed cotton to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Africa's imports of not carded or combed cotton dropped sharply in 2020, falling 38.0% to 126 K t from 204 K t in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 13.2%, with an average annual decline of 4.6%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 204 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 58.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's imports of not carded or combed cotton by volume were spread across many countries. Greece, the United States, and Spain were the top sources, accounting for 28.3%, 12.2%, and 4.3% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 44.8% of total imports, with the remainder coming from various other nations.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Africa's import value of not carded or combed cotton declined for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 272 M $ US, a 26.2% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 31.6%, equivalent to an average annual drop of 11.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 411 M $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 3.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the 2017-2020 period, Africa's import structure for not carded or combed cotton in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Greece, the United States, and Spain were the leading partners, contributing 28.4%, 12.5%, and 4.3% of import value, respectively. Their combined share was 45.3%, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 54.7%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020