Madagascar Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in madagascar, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
Textiles and Apparel
Last published date:

Overview

As of 2023, Madagascar ranks second amongst Sub-Saharan African countries in textile and apparel exports to the U.S. (under AGOA) and first to the EU market. The textile sector had almost recovered post COVID-19 and as of April 2025 remains the largest employer in Madagascar, providing over 400,000 jobs (direct and indirect), half of which working in Export Processing Zones (EPZ) around the cities of Antananarivo and Antsirabe. The government is promoting new EPZ specialized in textile products to create jobs and increase exports. 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 3: Total Market Size for Textile Fabrics

FABRICS

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Total exports 

808

1,307

3,592

4,658

2,633

Total imports 

81,852

109,358

132.284

98,334

104,602

Imports from the U.S.

6

0

0

119

1

Total market size 

81,044

108,051

 128,692

93,676

101,969

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

 

Table 4: Total Market Size for Yarns

YARNS

2020

2021

2022

2023 (Jan-Jun)

2024

Total exports 

23

13

6

220

2

Total imports 

12,136

18,328

26,034

12,533

23,388

Imports from the U.S.

0

 1

0

 

1

Total market size 

12,113

18,315

26,028

12,313

23,386

Opportunities

  • 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 

  • Association of Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Companies and Partners (GEFP)