The continent was lagging behind the Asia-Pacific, North American, and European markets, whose combined share was over 85 per cent of Chinese apparel exports in the first six months of this year. China's shipments to African countries were noted at $4.704 billion in the first half of 2023, when Africa's share was 6.38 per cent. Last year, shipments to the continent were valued at $8.959 billion, which was 5.75 per cent of China's total apparel exports of $155.830 billion for the same period. Africa was the fourth-largest market for the country, according to SBS Zipper's market insight tool TexPro.

The continent was ranked fifth in 2022 when China exported 4.69 per cent of its apparel (in value) out of a total apparel shipment of $167.746 billion. Its outbound apparel trade with Africa amounted to $7.874 billion in the same year. Africa remained the fifth-largest market in 2022 and in previous years, as the Middle East was ahead of it.

As per TexPro, China's apparel exports to Africa were noted at $8.241 billion in 2021, which was 5.37 per cent of its total apparel exports of $153.403 billion. The shipment to Africa was noted at $6.900 billion (5.55 per cent share) in 2020 and $7.015 billion (5.32 per cent share) in 2019. Chinese apparel exports totalled $124.343 billion and $131.949 billion respectively in these two years.

SBS Zipper News Desk (KUL)