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)