Fibre crop production refers to the annual agricultural production output of crops primarily cultivated for obtaining natural fibres used in textiles, ropes, paper, and other industrial applications.
South Africa Fibre Crop Production was 2.31 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 0.9% on 2023. South Africa’s fibre crop production indicator represents the annual agricultural output of crops cultivated primarily for natural fibre extraction and related industrial applications. The indicator measures the quantity of fibre crops produced within the country during the selected period, covering agricultural activities associated with the cultivation, harvesting, and supply of natural fibres.
South Africa Fibre Crop Production moved from 2.42 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 2.31 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−4.3%), an average of −0.5% a year. The series high was 2.43 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the low 2.29 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
The gap between the series high (2017) and low (2023) is 0.132 Thousand Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +2.9% in 2017.
Among the 17 countries in this dataset, South Africa ranks 9 for 2024, behind Brazil (102.6 Thousand Tonnes) and Vietnam (96.42 Thousand Tonnes). It accounts for 0.4% of the global total in 2024.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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| Year | Thousand Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2.31 | +0.9% |
| 2023 Trough | 2.29 | −0.8% |
| 2022 | 2.31 | −0.9% |
| 2021 | 2.33 | −1.3% |
| 2020 | 2.37 | −1% |
| 2019 | 2.39 | −1% |
| 2018 | 2.41 | −0.6% |
| 2017Peak | 2.43 | +2.9% |
| 2016 | 2.36 | −2.4% |
| 2015 | 2.42 | — |
Regional context
Fibre Crop Production by country, 2024, Thousand Tonnes. South Africa is highlighted.
Data definition
Fibre Crop Production — Fibre crop production refers to the annual agricultural production output of crops primarily cultivated for obtaining natural fibres used in textiles, ropes, paper, and other industrial applications. The indicator measures the quantity of fibre crops produced within a country or region over a specified period, reported in tonnes or metric tons. It includes major fibre-producing crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, and other plant-based fibres, with production statistics reflecting agricultural cultivation, harvesting, and output levels. The data represents country-level production trends and is compiled from international agricultural databases, including FAO and national agricultural reporting systems where available.
The indicator includes the production volume of agricultural fibre crops grown for commercial, industrial, and domestic fibre extraction purposes. It covers harvested quantities of natural fibre crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, kenaf, and other similar crops classified under fibre crop production. The data includes production from both large-scale commercial farming and smallholder agricultural systems, capturing annual output changes, cultivation patterns, and regional variations in fibre crop supply.
The indicator excludes synthetic fibres derived from petrochemical or industrial processes, processed textile products, yarns, fabrics, and other manufactured fibre-based goods. It does not include fibre crops grown solely for non-fibre purposes, agricultural residues, waste materials, or secondary fibre recovery from recycled sources. The data also excludes downstream processing activities such as spinning, weaving, textile manufacturing, and trade activities, focusing only on primary agricultural production of fibre crops.
Fibre Crop Production — Fibre crop production refers to the annual agricultural production output of crops primarily cultivated for obtaining natural fibres used in textiles, ropes, paper, and other industrial applications. The indicator measures the quantity of fibre crops produced within a country or region over a specified period, reported in tonnes or metric tons. It includes major fibre-producing crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, and other plant-based fibres, with production statistics reflecting agricultural cultivation, harvesting, and output levels. The data represents country-level production trends and is compiled from international agricultural databases, including FAO and national agricultural reporting systems where available.
Fibre crops contribute to multiple value chains, including textile manufacturing, rope production, industrial materials, and other fibre-based applications. The production data reflects the country’s agricultural capacity, cultivation patterns, and changes in fibre crop availability over time.
The indicator includes commercially produced fibre crops such as cotton, sisal, hemp, flax, and other plant-based fibres grown for industrial and domestic utilization. It captures production from both commercial agricultural operations and smaller farming systems involved in fibre crop cultivation. The data provides insights into annual production fluctuations, farming trends, resource availability, and the contribution of fibre crops to South Africa’s agricultural sector.
The indicator excludes synthetic fibres produced through chemical or industrial processes, as well as processed fibre products such as yarn, textiles, fabrics, and finished goods. It also does not include downstream activities such as fibre processing, manufacturing, exports, or trade-related transactions. Agricultural waste, recycled fibres, and crops cultivated exclusively for purposes other than fibre extraction are outside the scope of this indicator.
South Africa’s fibre crop production trends highlight variations in annual output influenced by factors such as climate conditions, agricultural practices, market demand, and cultivation decisions. The indicator provides a primary production perspective, focusing on the availability and performance of natural fibre crops at the agricultural level rather than industrial processing or commercial consumption.
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Fibre crop production refers to the annual agricultural production output of crops primarily cultivated for obtaining natural fibres used in textiles, ropes, paper, and other industrial applications. The indicator measures the quantity of fibre crops produced within a country or region over a specified period, reported in tonnes or metric tons. It includes major fibre-producing crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, and other plant-based fibres, with production statistics reflecting agricultural cultivation, harvesting, and output levels. The data represents country-level production trends and is compiled from international agricultural databases, including FAO and national agricultural reporting systems where available.
South Africa Fibre Crop Production was 2.31 Thousand Tonnes in 2024, up 0.9% on 2023.
South Africa Fibre Crop Production moved from 2.42 Thousand Tonnes in 2015 to 2.31 Thousand Tonnes in 2024 (−4.3%), an average of −0.5% a year. The series high was 2.43 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the low 2.29 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
The highest value was 2.43 Thousand Tonnes in 2017 and the lowest was 2.29 Thousand Tonnes in 2023.
Included: The indicator includes the production volume of agricultural fibre crops grown for commercial, industrial, and domestic fibre extraction purposes. It covers harvested quantities of natural fibre crops such as cotton, jute, flax, hemp, sisal, kenaf, and other similar crops classified under fibre crop production. The data includes production from both large-scale commercial farming and smallholder agricultural systems, capturing annual output changes, cultivation patterns, and regional variations in fibre crop supply. Excluded: The indicator excludes synthetic fibres derived from petrochemical or industrial processes, processed textile products, yarns, fabrics, and other manufactured fibre-based goods. It does not include fibre crops grown solely for non-fibre purposes, agricultural residues, waste materials, or secondary fibre recovery from recycled sources. The data also excludes downstream processing activities such as spinning, weaving, textile manufacturing, and trade activities, focusing only on primary agricultural production of fibre crops.
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&country=USA~DEU~GBR~ZAF%3BhideControls&Food=Fibre+crops&Metric=Production&Per+capita=false). It covers 2015–2024 and is reported in Thousand Tonnes.
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