Mozambique imports around five thousand tons of used clothing every year, of which around four thousand tons are sold. The remaining 1,000 tons are not of sufficient quality to be used, so they end up being thrown away or used for other purposes.

The data was revealed in a study presented this Wednesday (19) in Maputo City, entitled "Current Situation of the Second Hand Clothing Market in Mozambique".

According to researcher Brian Mangwiro, quoted by AIMHe said that these figures are justified by the growing demand for second-hand clothes due to various factors, particularly the price, "as they cost up to ten times less than new clothes", pointing out that at least 85% of the Mozambican population, estimated at 34 million inhabitants, wears second-hand clothes.

The study, which aims to analyse the relevance and impact of the second-hand clothing industry in Mozambique and on the African continent, was produced and presented by Consulting for Africa (CFA) Abalon Capital Limitada, commissioned by the non-governmental organization ADPP Mozambique.

"ADDP imports around a thousand tons of second-hand clothes a year," said Orlando Mapute, ADPP Mozambique's program officer, adding that "the import and sale of second-hand clothes in Mozambique generates significant revenue for the state, with the annual average being around 35 million dollars a year."

Overall, the study shows that China, followed by the European Union (EU) countries, India and Pakistan are the countries from which Mozambique imports the most used clothing and textiles.

Meanwhile, in terms of Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, Mozambique ranks first in used clothing imports, with an average of 19% of imports. Tanzania is in first place, with 23%; and in third place is the Democratic Republic of Congo, with 17% of imports.

(Photo DR)