
Export earnings from Zimbabwe’s textile and clothing sector have grown by 164 per cent between the year 2012 and 2016. According to the newsletter released by the National Export Promotion Agency, ZimTrade, the country achieved US $ 8.2 million in T&C exports in 2016.
Zimbabwe’s major exports destination was South Africa with a share of 80 per cent. However, the apparel sector in the country currently operates at less than 30 per cent of its capacity.
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ZimTrade said, “Zimbabwe has experienced a massive growth trajectory over the past 5 years in its textile and clothing exports which have grown from US $ 3.1 million in 2012 to US $ 8.2 million in 2016.”
The growth is mainly driven by the cheap polyester knitted fabric and finished blankets imports by South Africa and some Asian countries including China.