In the corresponding period of ****, imports totalled **,***.* million rand. South Africa remains structurally dependent on imported textiles and apparel, sourcing heavily from low-cost Asian supply chains, particularly China, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Vietnam, due to limited cost competitiveness, scale constraints, ageing machinery, and persistent manufacturing bottlenecks in its domestic textile and apparel industry.
Exports of textiles and related articles remained almost steady *,***.* million rand (~$***.** million) in the first three months of **** against *,***.* million rand, a year earlier.