South Africa's textile imports up 2.3% to $1.2 bn in Jan-Apr 2025

Official merchandise trade statistics show that, during the same period in 2024, the country imported textiles and textile articles worth 21,087.1 million rand. South Africa continues to be a net importer in this product segment.

Exports of textiles and related products edged up by 5.1 per cent, reaching 7,959.6 million rand (~$444.17 million) in the first four months of 2025, compared to 7,572.4 million rand in the corresponding period of 2024.

In April 2025, South Africa’s imports of textiles and textile articles under Chapters 50–63 stood at 4,811.6 million rand (~$268.50 million), reflecting a 4.8 per cent decrease from imports of 4,849.8 million rand in March 2025.

Exports under the same chapters inched up by 0.4 per cent to 2,333.3 million rand (~$130.20 million) in April 2025, from 2,324.4 million rand in March 2025.

South Africa’s textile trade showed an upward trend in April 2025 on a month-on-month basis. However, the growth rate of imports was higher than that of exports.

In 2024, the country’s imports of textiles and textile articles reached 65,476 million rand (~$3,551.95 million), up 10 per cent from 59,528.9 million rand in 2023. 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.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (KUL)