Not carded or combed cotton market in Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for not carded or combed cotton in Eswatini experienced significant fluctuations driven by changes in export prices. In 2019, a rise in export prices made overseas sales more attractive, leading to a surge in exports to 631 t and reducing domestic market volume to 1 591 t. The following year, export prices fell, which dampened export activity and allowed the domestic market to expand to 1 935 t, supported by increased production reaching 2 336 t.

After a sharp contraction in 2021, when production dropped to 1 698 t and market volume fell to 1 397 t, the market recovered over the next two years. Production regained momentum, reaching 1 828 t in 2022 and 2 125 t in 2023. Concurrently, declining export prices in 2023 reduced the incentive to sell abroad, causing exports to fall to 154 t and helping to push the domestic market volume to 1 972 t, its highest level in the period.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Eswatini

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

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

Eswatini's production of not carded or combed cotton grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 336 tons, showing a modest increase of 5.9% from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 12.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.0%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 1 946 tons. That year also saw the largest decline, with a drop of 6.3%. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase, with production jumping by 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eswatini in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Eswatini

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Export volumes hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with the peak being 4.4 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Eswatini exported 403 tons of not carded or combed cotton, which represents a sharp decline of 36.1% from the year before. The highest export volume was in 2019, at 631 tons. That same year also saw the largest increase, with exports surging by 344.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, virtually all of Eswatini's exports of not carded or combed cotton went to South Africa, which accounted for 100.0% of the total trade flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this period. The lowest export value was in 2018, while the highest was in 2019, with the peak being 9.4 times greater than the trough. In 2020, the value of not carded or combed cotton exports from Eswatini amounted to 529 thousand US dollars, marking a dramatic decrease of 57.4% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019, at 1 241 thousand US dollars. That year also experienced the largest increase, with the value soaring by 838.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa was the almost exclusive buyer of not carded or combed cotton from Eswatini, purchasing 100.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports not carded or combed cotton to Eswatini

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Import levels varied widely, with the high in 2017 being 501 times greater than the low in 2020. In 2020, Eswatini's imports of not carded or combed cotton stood at 3 tons, which is 82.8% lower than the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 99.1%. Conversely, the largest increase was in 2019, with imports rising by 32.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Zambia clearly dominated the partner structure for imports in kind, while other countries together made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The span from 2017 to 2019 showed a peak-to-trough amplitude of 158 times. In 2020, the value of not carded or combed cotton imports into Eswatini amounted to 17 thousand US dollars, representing a moderate improvement of 5.7% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019, at 16 thousand US dollars. The largest decline happened in 2018, with a decrease of 98.7%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, South Africa and Zambia were the dominant suppliers of not carded or combed cotton to Eswatini, together accounting for 91.7% of total imports in value terms. Other partners formed a less significant portion of the market.

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

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