Not carded or combed cotton market in Madagascar

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Madagascar's production of not carded or combed cotton initially increased, reaching 19,072 t in 2019. This growth was supported by the government's prioritization of reviving the cotton sector in the Atsimo Andrefana region under the Pôles Intégrés de Croissance project. However, production dipped slightly in 2020 to 18,685 t as the sector faced structural issues, including an unregulated liberalization and supply chain dysfunctions that limited output relative to foreign demand.

In the following years, production gradually declined to 18,352 t by 2022. During this period, the domestic market size also contracted, influenced by rising export volumes. While the textile industry saw growth with international brands manufacturing in Antananarivo's free zone and companies like Tropic Knits operating, these activities largely relied on imported fabrics and did not directly boost domestic raw cotton production.

Production recovered modestly to 18,642 t in 2023. This stabilization coincided with announced investments in the cotton sector, such as the planned establishment of a Chinese company in Atsimo Andrefana. Persistent challenges remained, including climatic factors like drought in the Tuléar region, which pressured growers to shift to less water-intensive crops, highlighting the sector's ongoing fragility.

Production not carded or combed cotton in Madagascar

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

In 2020, Madagascar produced 18,685 tonnes of not carded or combed cotton, representing a 2.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 18,423 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 3.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 3.5%.

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

Exports not carded or combed cotton from Madagascar

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Madagascar exported 881 tonnes of not carded or combed cotton in 2020, marking a sharp decline of 39.8% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 479 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 83.9%. In 2019, exports rebounded with the largest increase of 205.3%. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 6.2-fold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritius accounted for 88.0% of Madagascar's total exports in kind, while the remaining volume was distributed among many other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. In 2020, Madagascar's exports of not carded or combed cotton totaled 1,369 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp reduction of 45.7% from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 914 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 75.6%. In 2019, exports increased by the largest margin of 175.8%. The highest exports were in 2017, with a 4.1-fold gap compared to the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mauritius remained the nearly exclusive buyer of not carded or combed cotton from Madagascar, accounting for 95.2% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports not carded or combed cotton to Madagascar

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2020, Madagascar's imports of not carded or combed cotton amounted to 0.1 tonnes, showing a sharp drop of 94.6% compared to the previous year. The maximum import volume was in 2019 at 1 tonne, which saw the largest increase of 308.4%. The highest volume was reached in 2019, while the lowest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 19 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and Italy concentrated 97.2% of Madagascar's total imports in kind, with the remaining share distributed among other destinations, each contributing smaller amounts.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. In 2020, Madagascar's import volume of not carded or combed cotton reached 6 thousand US dollars, indicating a decrease of 79.0% from the previous year. The minimum value was in 2018 at 0.3 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 96.1%. The maximum value was in 2019 at 29 thousand US dollars, recording the largest increase of 10,364.4%. Imports hit their maximum in 2019, falling to the lowest point in 2018, with a swing of 105 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy and China remained the principal destinations for Madagascar's imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 85.5% of total flows, while other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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