The domestic consumption of cotton in South Africa is projected to decrease steadily from 79.0 thousand units (480 lb. bales) in 2024 to 74.0 thousand units by 2028. Compared to the 2023 figure of 81.0 thousand units, this represents a declining trend in cotton consumption.
The year-on-year variation percentage between 2024 and 2025 is approximately -2.5%, and between 2025 and 2026 is -1.3%. This downward trend continues with an annual decline of around -1.3% from 2026 to 2027 and again from 2027 to 2028. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2023 to 2028 is projected to be around -2.1%.
Future trends to watch for include potential shifts in consumer preferences towards synthetic fibers, impacts of global economic volatility on imports and exports, changes in domestic textile manufacturing capacity, and policy adjustments influencing the agriculture sector. Monitoring these factors is critical to understanding the future landscape of cotton consumption in South Africa.
