South Africa’s textile and textile article imports rose modestly by 2.3% year-on-year in the first four months of 2025, reaching a total value of 21.56 billion rand (approximately US$1.2 billion), according to data from the South African Revenue Service. During the same period, the country’s textile exports grew 5.1%, totalling 7.96 billion rand (around US$444 million).
The monthly figures indicate a slight slowdown in trade momentum. In April alone, textile imports dipped 4.8% from March, totalling 4.812 billion rand. In contrast, exports showed a modest 0.4% monthly increase, reaching 2.
333 billion rand. Despite these fluctuations, South Africa continues to be a net importer of textiles, primarily under HS Chapters 50–63, reflecting an ongoing trade imbalance in the sector.
Earlier in the year, the country witnessed sharper growth. January 2025 imports jumped 33.1% year-on-year to 6.247 billion rand, while exports rose 15.5%. Over the January–March quarter, total textile imports reached 16.
746 billion rand (roughly US$900 million), up 7.1%, and exports increased 7.4% to 5.921 billion rand.
While growth has cooled somewhat by April, the steady export performance offers a positive outlook for local producers. The data suggests that although South Africa relies heavily on imports, there is a gradually improving export base. Going forward, industry observers will be watching how domestic production capacity, input costs, and global sourcing trends impact the textile trade balance.
