Madagascar - Textiles and Apparel

Textiles and Apparel

Last published date: 2024-02-20

Overview

Madagascar ranks first amongst Sub-Saharan African countries in textile exports to the EU and third to the United States, with exports to the United States often benefiting from tariff-free entry under the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA). Though initially hard-hit by the pandemic, the textile sector had almost recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels by the end of 2020. It remains the largest formal employer in Madagascar, providing nearly 400,000 jobs, half of which are in Export Processing Zones (EPZ) around the cities of Antananarivo and Antsirabe. Producers have shifted some production from Asia to Madagascar in recent years to avoid product-origin limits and to take advantage of Madagascar’s low-cost, skilled labor.

Leading Sub-Sectors

Fabrics
Yarns
Textile machinery

Table 1: Total Market Size for Fabrics
FABRICS	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023 (Jan-Jun)
Total exports	820	808	1,307	3,592	2,750
Total imports	87,832	81,852	109,358	132.284	60,131
Imports from the U.S.	182	6	0	0	119
Total market size	87,012	81,044	108,051	128,692	57,381

Data source: Madagascar Customs. Figures are in thousands of USD. Fabrics included have HTS four-digit code 5208, 5209, 5210, 5211, and 5212.

Table 2: Total Market Size for Yarns
YARNS	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023 (Jan-Jun)
Total exports	50	23	13	6	220
Total imports	16,277	12,136	18,328	26,034	7,229
Imports from the U.S.	0	0	1	0	1
Total market size	16,227	12,113	18,315	26,028	7,009

Data source: Madagascar Customs. Figures are in thousands of USD. Yarns included have four-digit HTS code 5204, 5205, 5206, and 5207.

Opportunities

Tariff-free exports to the U.S. Market through the African Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA)
European Union markets
Regional markets Southern African Development Community (SADC), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC)
Investment in new production facilities or acquisition of existing textile companies

Resources

The website of the Group of EPZ Companies and Partners (GEFP): https://gefp.mg/index.php/en/