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South Africa's textile imports edge up to $3.7 bn in Jan–Nov 2025

In the corresponding period of ****, imports totalled **,*** million rand, indicating broadly stable sourcing patterns despite weaker consumer sentiment, ongoing retail inventory rationalisation and currency volatility. South Africa remains structurally dependent on imported textiles and apparel, sourcing heavily from low-cost Asian supply chains—particularly China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Vietnam—due to limited cost competitiveness, scale constraints, ageing machinery and persistent manufacturing bottlenecks in the domestic textile and apparel industry.

Exports of textiles and related articles grew at a faster pace, rising *.* per cent to **,***.* million rand (~$*.*** billion) in January–November ****, compared with **,***.* million rand a year earlier. On a monthly basis, imports fell sharply by **.* per cent to *,***.* million rand (~$***.** million) in November **** from *,***.* million rand in October, reflecting seasonal demand softening, cautious ordering by retailers and weaker currency-adjusted buying. Exports also declined month on month, easing *.* per cent to *,***.* million rand (~$***.** million) from *,***.* million rand in October ****, partly due to logistics disruptions and softer regional demand.