News

South Africa Trade Balance Shifts to Surplus in May
South Africa posted a trade surplus of ZAR 15.9 billion in May of 2020 compared to an upwardly revised deficit of ZAR 36 billion in April and beating market expectations of a ZAR 4.7 billion deficit, due to easing restrictions locally and in key destination markets. Exports climbed 96.1 percent to ZAR 101.8 billion, amid sharp increases in shipments of machinery & electronics (427%); vehicles & transport equipment (221%); base metals (182%); precious metals & stones (162%) and mineral products (79%). Meanwhile, imports fell 2.2 percent to ZAR 85.9 billion, due to reduced purchases of mineral products (-20%); vegetables (-43%); vehicles & transport equipment (-22%) and original equipment components (-18%).
Published on 2020-06-30

South Africa Posts Largest Trade Gap on Record
South Africa recorded a trade deficit of ZAR 35 billion in April of 2020 compared to a downwardly revised ZAR 23.9 billion surplus in the previous month and against market expectations of a ZAR 10.5 billion surplus. This was the widest monthly trade shortfall on record, as the adverse effects from the global pandemic began to be felt. Exports plunged 55.1% to ZAR 53 billion, as shipments fell sharply in all categories, namely precious metals & stones (-67%); vehicles & transport equipment (-88%); mineral products (-39%);;machinery & electronics (-85%) and base metals (-64%). Meantime, imports fell at a slower 6.5%.to ZAR 381.4 billion, on lower purchases of mineral products (-30%); original equipment components (-36%) and vehicles & transport equipment (-20%).
Published on 2020-05-29

South Africa Posts Widest Trade Surplus on Record
South Africa's trade surplus rose to ZAR 24.3 billion in March of 2020 from a downwardly revised ZAR 13.7 billion in the previous month and easily beating market expectations of a ZAR 9 billion surplus. This was the largest monthly trade surplus since at least January of 1957. Exports surged 8.5 percent to ZAR 118.5 billion, boosted by sales of precious metals & stones (21 percent); prepared foodstuff (26 percent); mineral products (4 percent); vehicles & transport equipment (6 percent) and vegetable products (12 percent9. Meanwhile, imports fell 1.3 percent to ZAR 94.2 billion, as lower purchases of textiles (-35 percent) outweighed increases in those of vegetable products (48 percent); mineral products (5 percent); vehicles & transport equipment (9 percent) and original equipment components (7 percent).
Published on 2020-04-30

South Africa Posts Widest Trade Surplus since 2018
South Africa recorded a trade surplus of ZAR 14.2 billion in February of 2020, after an upwardly revised 2.7 billion deficit in the previous month and beating market expectations of a ZAR 2 billion surplus. This was the largest monthly trade surplus since December of 2018, as exports grew 8.6 percent from the prior month to ZAR 109.6 billion, boosted by shipments of vehicles & transport equipment (93%); machinery & electronics (29%) and chemicals (15%). In contrast, imports fell 7.9 percent to ZAR 95.5 billion, dragged down by lower purchases of machinery & electronics (-13%); vehicles & transport equipment (-24%); plastics & rubber (-17%); prepared foodstuff (-20%) and precious metals & stones (-31%). Sales rose mostly to Europe (28.3%) and Africa (16%) whereas acquisitions declined primarily from Asia (-6.2%), Europe (-10.9%) and Africa (-14%).
Published on 2020-03-31

South Africa Trade Deficit Lower than Expected
South Africa recorded a trade deficit of ZAR 1.87 billion in January 2020, after a downwardly revised ZAR 13.89 billion surplus in the previous month, and compared to market expectations of a ZAR 13.8 billion gap. Exports dropped 1.4 percent from the prior month to ZAR 101.41 billion, mainly due to lower sales of prepared foodstuff (-28 percent); machinery & electronics (-16 percent) and precious metals & stones (-3.0 percent). In addition, imports rose 16.1 percent to ZAR 103.28 billion, boosted by higher purchases of original equipment components (169 percent); machinery & electronics (15 percent); base metals (62 percent) and textiles (52 percent).
Published on 2020-02-28

South Africa Posts Largest Trade Surplus in a Year
South Africa's trade surplus rose to ZAR 14.8 billion in December 2019 from a downwardly revised ZAR 5.6 billion in November and overshooting market estimates of a ZAR 12 billion surplus. It was the widest monthly trade surplus since December 2018, as imports tumbled 20.1% to ZAR 88.5 billion, amid lower purchases of machinery & electronics (-23%); original equipment components (-43%); vehicles & transport equipment (-22%); chemicals (-19%) and base metals (-39%). Main import partners were China (16.9% of total acquisitions) and Germany (7.4%). Meanwhile, exports slid 11.2% to ZAR 103.3 billion, as sales fell for vehicles & transport equipment (-50%); machinery & electronics (-16%); base metals (-6%) and precious metals & stones (-3%). The only exception was recorded for vegetable products (17%). Main export partners were China (11% of total sales) and the US (7.5%). In 2019, the trade surplus rose to ZAR 24.7 billion, the highest value in two years, from ZAR 15.2 billion in 2018.
Published on 2020-01-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Larger than Forecast
South Africa's trade surplus widened to ZAR 6.10 billion in November 2019 from a downwardly revised ZAR 2.75 billion in the previous month and above market expectations of ZAR 5.00 billion. Imports slumped 7.7 percent mainly due to decline in shipments of original equipment components and chemical products, while exports fell at a softer 4.8 percent on the back of mineral products and vehicles & transport equipment.
Published on 2019-12-27

South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows in October
South Africa's trade surplus shrank to ZAR 3.09 billion in October 2019 from a downwardly revised ZAR 4.53 billion in the previous month and against market expectations of a deficit of ZAR 1.60 billion. Imports climbed 13.7 percent, mainly due to mineral products and exports rose at a softer 11.9 percent, primarily boosted by precious metals & stones.
Published on 2019-11-29

South Africa Trade Surplus Widens in September
South Africa's trade surplus rose to ZAR 5.16 billion in September of 2019 from a donwardly revised ZAR 4.54 billion in the previous month and beating market expectations of a ZAR 2 billion surplus. Imports declined at a faster 8.6 percent month-over-month while exports fell 7.8 percent.
Published on 2019-10-31

South Africa Posts Widest Trade Surplus in 8 Months
South Africa recorded a trade surplus of ZAR 6.84 billion in August of 2019 compared to an upwardly revised ZAR 3.72 billion deficit in the prior month, easily beating market expectations of a ZAR 2 billion surplus. It was the largest trade surplus since last December, as exports surged 8.4 percent from a month earlier to an all-time high while imports fell 1 percent.
Published on 2019-09-30

South Africa Trade Balance Swings to Deficit
South Africa recorded a trade deficit of ZAR 2.88 billion in July of 2019 compared to an upwardly revised ZAR 5.54 billion surplus in the previous month, and against market expectations of a ZAR 2.7 billion surplus. Imports soared 11.7 percent from a month earlier while exports rose at a much slower 3.4 percent.
Published on 2019-08-30

South Africa Trade Surplus Widens in June
The trade surplus in South Africa rose to ZAR 4.42 billion in June of 2019 from a downwardly revised ZAR 1.70 billion in the previous month. Exports fell 3.2 percent from a month earlier while imports declined at a faster 5.8 percent.
Published on 2019-07-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Smaller than Expected
South Africa posted a trade surplus of ZAR 1.74 billion in May 2019, compared to a ZAR 3.43 billion deficit in the previous month and below market expectations of a ZAR 2.7 billion surplus. Exports jumped 8.1 percent while imports increased at a slower 3.0 percent.
Published on 2019-06-28

South Africa Trade Balance Swings to Deficit in April
South Africa posted a trade gap of ZAR 3.43 billion in April 2019 compared to a downwardly revised ZAR 4.70 billion surplus in the prior month and against market expectations of a ZAR 1.25 billion surplus. Exports fell 1.3 percent while imports soared 6.8 percent.
Published on 2019-05-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Widens in March
South Africa trade surplus rose to ZAR 5.00 billion in March 2019 from a downwardly revised ZAR 3.87 billion in the prior month and beating market expectations of a ZAR 4.8 billion surplus. Exports surged 7.5 percent while imports advanced at a slower 6.6 percent. Considering the first three months of 2019, the country posted a trade gap of ZAR 3.83 billion.
Published on 2019-04-30

South Africa Trade Balance Swings to Surplus in February
South Africa trade balance shifted to a ZAR 3.99 billion in February 2019 from a ZAR 13.08 billion in the previous month and beating market expectations of a ZAR 2 billion surplus. Considering the first two months of the year, the country posted a trade shortfall of ZAR 9.08 billion.
Published on 2019-03-29

South Africa Posts Widest Trade Gap in a Year
South Africa recorded a trade gap of ZAR 13.1 billion in January 2019 compared to a downwardly revised ZAR 16.70 billion surplus in the prior month and market expectations of a ZAR 12.8 billion deficit. It is the largest trade shortfall since January 2018, as imports surged 18.9 percent while exports slipped 13.3 percent.
Published on 2019-02-28

South Africa Posts Largest Trade Surplus Since 2016
South Africa recorded a trade surplus of ZAR 17.2 billion in December 2018 compared to a downwardly revised 3.29 billion surplus in the prior month and beating market expectations of a ZAR 9.0 billion surplus. It is the widest trade surplus since May 2016, as imports fell faster than exports. In 2018, the country posted a trade surplus of ZAR 11.3 billion compared to a ZAR 76.7 billion surplus in the previous year.
Published on 2019-01-31

South Africa Trade Balance Swings to Surplus in November
South Africa trade balance shifted to a ZAR 3.49 billion surplus in November of 2018 from a downwardly revised ZAR 4.29 billion deficit in the previous month and beating market expectations of a ZAR 2.25 billion gap. Considering the January to November period, the country recorded a ZAR 4.16 billion shortfall.
Published on 2018-12-28

South Africa Trade Gap Largest in 9 Months
South Africa trade deficit widened to ZAR 5.55 billion in October of 2018 from a downwardly revised ZAR 3.83 billion in the previous month and compared with market expectations of a ZAR 2.25 billion shortfall. It was the largest trade gap since January, as imports rose faster than exports. Considering the first ten months of the year, the country posted a ZAR 8.82 billion deficit.
Published on 2018-11-30