South Africa's Clothing and Textile Industry: Between China and Self-Sufficiency

Strategic Insights -

South Africa's clothing and textile industry is heavily reliant on imports from China, with over half of its imports coming from the Asian giant in 2024. The trade deficit in this sector has resulted in exports totaling R19.4 billion, with R4.07 billion going to China, while imports reached R65.4 billion, with nearly half coming from China. This trade imbalance is part of a larger trend, with South Africa sending R2 trillion more to China than it received in overall exports since 2000. Local producers need to import components such as zippers, buttons, and specialized textiles, which are not made in South Africa.

Key Takeaways:

  • The South African clothing and textile industry is heavily reliant on imports from China, with 71 out of 142 exhibitors at the Allfashion Sourcing exhibition in Cape Town being Chinese companies.
  • Local producers need to import components such as zippers, buttons, and specialized textiles, which are not made in South Africa, resulting in a trade deficit.
  • Since 2000, South Africa has sent R2 trillion more to China than it received in overall exports.
  • The trade deficit in the clothing and textile industry is exacerbating by South Africa's large consumer market, which provides space for the development of the clothing industry.
  • Chinese companies are looking to further cement their place in the South African value chain, with SAB South Africa planning to bridge the gap between Chinese innovation and South African creativity.
  • The industry needs to work with competitors and collaborators to increase global competitiveness and achieve self-sufficiency.
  • Innovation is sprouting among South African designers, such as Natasha Pearce, founder of Vivacious Eco Vixon, who intercepts waste and transforms it into upscale lifestyle products.
  • Part of Pearce's work is funded by Nedbank's green economy fund, which supports entrepreneurs moving towards circularity and offers concessionary loans and de-risk grants to prove that waste can be a business model.
  • Brands like Foschini, Levi's, and K-Way are already working with South African firms to bring more onshoring to South Africa.
  • The demand for onshoring is significant, with South African firms like Berzacks equipping manufacturers with industrial sewing machinery and products such as thread.

Statistics:

  • R19.4 billion: South Africa's total exports of textiles in 2024
  • R4.07 billion: South Africa's exports of textiles to China in 2024
  • R65.4 billion: South Africa's total imports of textiles in 2024
  • R32.14 billion: South Africa's imports of textiles from China in 2024
  • R2 trillion: South Africa's total exports to China since 2000
  • R4.85 billion: South Africa's imports of textiles from China in March 2025
  • R2.22 billion: South Africa's exports of textiles in March 2025

Sources:

  • (ISS)
  • (Messe Frankfurt)
  • (Nedbank)
  • (Thandeka)
  • (SAB South Africa)