Recent Releases

South Africa Trade Surplus Higher than Expected
South Africa trade surplus increased to ZAR 10.67 billion in June of 2017 from a downwardly revised ZAR 7.22 billion surplus in May, beating market expectations of a ZAR 8.4 billion surplus. Imports slumped 4.2 percent while exports declined at a slower 0.6 percent. Considering the first six months of the year, exports jumped 4.7 percent while imports went down 1.4 percent, shifting the country's trade balance into a ZAR 27.67 billion surplus from a ZAR 5.042 billion gap in the same period of 2016.
Published on 2017-07-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Widens In May
South Africa's trade surplus widened to ZAR 9.5 billion in May 2017 from a downwardly revised ZAR 5.0 billion in the previous month and below market expectations of ZAR 10.6 billion. Exports jumped 15.4 percent to ZAR 105.0 billion, mainly due to higher sales of miscellaneous manufactured articles and vegetable products. Imports increased at a slower 11 percent to ZAR 95.5 billion, driven by purchases of original equipment components, and mineral products.
Published on 2017-06-30

South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows In April
South Africa posted a trade surplus of ZAR 5.1 billion in April of 2017 compared to a downwardly revised ZAR 11.3 billion surplus in March and slightly below market expectations of ZAR 5.5 billion. Exports fell 9.2 percent to ZAR 91.8 billion, due to lower sales of precious metals and stones, vehicles & transport equipment, machinery & electronics and chemicals. Imports went down 3.4 percent to ZAR 86.7 billion, driven by purchases of optical photographic products, original equipment components, vegetables, and chemicals.
Published on 2017-05-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Widens In March
South Africa posted a trade surplus of ZAR 11.4 billion in March of 2017 compared to a downwardly revised ZAR 4.78 billion surplus in February. Exports advanced 16 percent, due to higher sales of precious metals and stones, vehicles & transport equipment, machinery & electronics and mineral products. Imports went up 8.9 percent, driven by purchases of machinery & electronics, vehicles & transport equipment, optical photographic products, and original equipment components.
Published on 2017-04-28

South Africa Trade Balance Swings To Surplus in February
South Africa posted a trade surplus of ZAR 5.22 billion in February of 2017 compared to an upwardly revised ZAR 11.22 billion gap in January. Exports advanced 9.4 percent, due to higher sales of vehicles & transport equipment and machinery & electronics while imports went down 9.7 percent, mainly due to lower purchases of machinery & electronics.
Published on 2017-03-31

South Africa Trade Balance Swings To Deficit in January
South Africa posted a trade deficit of ZAR 10.81 billion in January of 2017 compared to an upwardly revised ZAR 12.41 billion surplus in December and below market forecasts of a ZAR 16 billion deficit. Imports jumped 12.5 percent, mainly due to higher purchases of equipment components and machinery & electronics. Exports went down at a faster 14 percent, due to lower sales of vehicles & transport equipment and mineral products.
Published on 2017-02-28

South Africa Trade Surplus Beats Expectations in December
South Africa posted a trade surplus of ZAR 12.04 billion in December of 2016 compared to an upwardly revised ZAR 1.68 billion deficit in November and well above market forecasts of a ZAR 6 billion surplus. Imports slumped 19.6 percent, mainly due to lower purchases of original equipment components and machinery & electronics. Exports went down at a slower 6.1 percent, due to sales of vehicles & transport equipment and machinery & electronics.
Published on 2017-01-31

South Africa Trade Deficit Narrows in November
South Africa posted a trade deficit of ZAR 1.1 billion in November 2016 compared to a downwardly revised ZAR 3.91 billion deficit in October, while missing market expectations of a ZAR -0.75 billion gap. Exports rose 12.8 percent, boosted by higher sales of mineral products and precious metals and stones and imports increased by 9.2 percent, as purchases rose mainly for vehicles and transport equipment and mineral products.
Published on 2016-12-29

South Africa Trade Balance Swings to Deficit in October
South Africa posted a trade deficit of ZAR 4.41 billion in October 2016 from an upwardly revised ZAR 6.95 billion surplus in September, but better than market expectations of a ZAR 10.5 billion gap. Exports fell by 11.1 percent, dragged by lower sales of vegetable products and precious metals and stones; while imports increased by 0.4 percent, as purchases rose mainly for mineral products and machinery and electronics.
Published on 2016-11-30

South Africa Trade Balance Swings to Surplus in September
South Africa posted a trade surplus of ZAR 6.70 billion in September 2016 compared to an upwardly revised ZAR 8.88 billion deficit in August and beating market expectations of ZAR 1.1 billion gap. Exports rose by 10.1 percent, boosted by higher sales of precious metals and stones and chemical products; while imports decreased by 6.6 percent, as purchases fell mainly for precious metals and stones, mineral products and vegetable products.
Published on 2016-10-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Swings to Deficit in August
South Africa posted a trade gap of ZAR 8.56 billion in August of 2016 from a downwardly revised shortfall of ZAR 5.04 billion in July, and way below market expectation of ZAR 3 billion surplus. Exports declined 5.5 percent, mostly due to a fall in sales precious metals and stones, while imports jumped by 9.2 percent due to higher purchases of precious metals and stones. Since the beginning of 2016, the trade balance swung to a ZAR 35.1 billion deficit compared to ZAR 7.4 billion surplus a year earlier.
Published on 2016-09-30

South Africa Trade Surplus Misses Estimates in July
South Africa posted a trade surplus of 5.22 billion in July of 2016, after a downwardly revised ZAR 12.47 billion surplus in June and below market expectations of ZAR 8.1 billion surplus, as exports fell 9 percent and imports decreased at a slower 2.4 percent.
Published on 2016-08-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Beats Estimates
South Africa posted a higher-than-expected trade surplus of ZAR 12.5 billion in June of 2016 from a downwardly revised deficit of ZAR 18.3 billion in the previous month. The figure came way above market expectations of ZAR 7.2 billion surplus, as exports went up 0.7 percent and imports increased at a faster 7.6 percent.
Published on 2016-07-29

South Africa Trade Balance Swings to Surplus in May
South Africa posted a trade surplus of ZAR 18.7 billion in May of 2016 from a downwardly revised deficit of ZAR 0.12 billion in the previous month. Exports rose 14 percent, as sales precious metals and stones surged, while imports fell by 6.6 percent due to lower purchases of animal and vegetable products.
Published on 2016-06-30

South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows in April
South Africa posted a trade surplus of ZAR 0.43 billion in April of 2016 from a downwardly revised surplus of ZAR 2.03 billion in the previous month. Exports dropped 3.2 percent, as sales of mineral products, base metals, and precious metals and stones fell, meantime imports decreased by 1.5 percent due to lower purchases of vegetable products, optical photographic products, plastics and rubber, mineral products. Since the beginning of 2016, the trade deficit narrowed 41.7 percent to ZAR 18.6 billion compared to ZAR 32 billion a year earlier.
Published on 2016-05-31

South Africa Trade Balance Shifts to Surplus
South Africa recorded a trade surplus of ZAR 2.9 billion in March of 2016 from a deficit of ZAR 1.2 billion in the previous month. Exports increased 6.3 percent, as sales of mineral products, base metals, and precious metals and stones rose while imports went up by 2.6 percent, mainly due to higher purchases of mineral products, plastics and rubber and machinery and electronics. So far this year, the trade deficit narrowed 39.1 percent to ZAR 17.9 billion compared to ZAR 29.5 billion a year earlier.
Published on 2016-04-29

South Africa Trade Gap Narrows Sharply in February
South Africa's trade deficit decreased sharply to ZAR 1.07 billion in February of 2016 compared with an upwardly revised ZAR 17.96 billion gap in the previous month while staying below market consensus of ZAR 4.65 billion deficit. Exports rose 27.7 percent, as sales of vehicles and transport equipment rose sharply, while imports went up at a much slower 2.7 percent, mainly due to higher purchases of vegetable products.
Published on 2016-03-31

South Africa Trade Balance Swings to Deficit
South Africa posted a ZAR 17.87 billion gap in January of 2016 compared to a downwardly revised ZAR 7.55 billion surplus in the previous month while missing market expectations of ZAR 14.1 billion deficit. Exports dropped 18.8 percent due to lower sales of precious metals and vehicles while imports rose 11 percent mainly boosted by higher purchases of equipment components.
Published on 2016-02-29

South Africa Trade Surplus Widens to 5-Year High
South Africa trade surplus increased to ZAR 8.22 billion in December of 2015 from a downwardly revised ZAR 0.68 billion surplus in the previous month and beating market expectations of ZAR 4.85 billion. It was the highest value since December of 2010, as exports dropped 5.1 percent while imports fell at a much faster 13.3 percent.
Published on 2016-01-29

South Africa Trade Balance Swings to Surplus
South Africa posted a ZAR 1.77 billion trade surplus in November of 2015 from an upwardly revised ZAR 21.60 billion deficit in the previous month, beating market expectations. It was the first trade surplus recorded in five months, as exports expanded by 10.3 percent boosted by higher sales of precious metals and stones while imports dropped 13.5 percent as purchases of equipment components declined strongly.
Published on 2015-12-30

South African Trade Gap Widens Sharply to 9-Month High
South Africa trade deficit increased to ZAR 21.39 billion in October of 2015 from an upwardly revised ZAR 1.26 billion shortfall in the previous month and way above market expectations. It was the highest trade gap since January this year, as exports fell 6 percent while imports jumped 15.7 percent.
Published on 2015-11-30

South Africa Trade Gap Narrows to 6-Month Low
South Africa trade deficit declined to ZAR 0.89 billion in September of 2015 from an upwardly revised ZAR 10.1 billion shortfall in the previous month as exports increased and imports shrank.
Published on 2015-10-30

South Africa Trade Deficit at 7-Month High
South African trade gap was recorded at ZAR 9.95 billion in August of 2015 from an upwardly revised ZAR 1.1 billion shortfall in July, the highest since January, due to lower sales of minerals and higher oil imports.
Published on 2015-09-30

South Africa Reports Trade Deficit in July
South Africa posted a ZAR -0.40 billion deficit in July of 2015 from a downwardly revised ZAR 5.50 billion surplus a month earlier, as exports expanded at a slower pace than imports.
Published on 2015-08-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Widens To 6-Month High in June
South African trade surplus increased to ZAR 5.80 billion in June of 2015 from a downwardly revised ZAR 4.94 billion surplus a month earlier, as exports expanded at a faster pace than imports.
Published on 2015-07-31

South Africa Posts Trade Surplus in May
South Africa trade balance swung into a ZAR 4.99 billion trade surplus in May of 2015 from an upwardly revised ZAR 1.45 billion deficit in April. It is the highest surplus this year due to a surge in exports.
Published on 2015-06-30

South Africa Trade Deficit Widens in April
South African trade gap increased to ZAR 2.51 billion in April of 2015 from a revised ZAR 0.01 billion shortfall a month earlier as exports were down 7.5 percent and imports declined at a slower 4.8 percent.
Published on 2015-05-29

South Africa Trade Balance Swings to Surplus
South Africa posted a ZAR 483 million trade surplus in March of 2015, compared to a revised ZAR 8.7 billion deficit in February due to a surge in exports of precious metals and stones.
Published on 2015-04-30

South Africa Trade Deficit Narrows in February
South African trade gap shrank to ZAR 8.48 billion in February of 2015 from a record high ZAR 24.22 billion shortfall a month earlier due to a rebound in exports.
Published on 2015-03-31

South Africa Posts Record Trade Deficit in January
South Africa recorded a ZAR 24.22 billion trade gap in January of 2015 compared with a revised four-year high ZAR 6.66 billion surplus in the previous month. It is the highest trade deficit on record due to a sharp drop in exports.
Published on 2015-02-27

South Africa Posts Highest Trade Surplus in 4 Years
South Africa recorded a ZAR 6.85 billion trade surplus in December of 2014, compared with a revised ZAR 5.27 billion gap in the previous month. It is the first surplus in ten months as exports increased 3.8 percent and imports fell 9.9 percent.
Published on 2015-01-30

South Africa Trade Deficit Narrows in November
South African trade gap decreased to ZAR 5.7 billion in November from a revised ZAR 21.6 billion shortfall in the previous month, due to a sharp drop in imports.
Published on 2014-12-30

South Africa Trade Deficit at 16-Month High
South African trade gap widened to ZAR 21.32 billion in October from a revised ZAR 3.05 billion in the previous month due to a sharp rise in imports.
Published on 2014-11-28

South Africa Trade Deficit Narrows in September
South African trade gap decreased to ZAR 2.91 billion in September of 2014 from a revised 16.7 billion shortfall in the previous month as exports to Europe and America surged.
Published on 2014-10-31

South Africa Trade Deficit at 7-Month High
South African trade gap widened to ZAR 16.3 billion in August of 2014 from a revised ZAR 6.83 billion shortfall in the previous month. It is the highest trade deficit since January, hurt by a drop in exports.
Published on 2014-09-30

South Africa Trade Deficit Widens in July
South African trade gap increased to ZAR 6.88 billion, up from an upwardly revised ZAR 0.47 billion deficit in June, as imports rose at a faster pace than exports.
Published on 2014-08-29

South Africa Trade Deficit Narrows in June
South African trade gap decreased to ZAR 0.2 billion in June of 2014, from a revised ZAR 7.4 billion deficit in the previous month. This is the lowest deficit in nearly 9 years, due to a surge in exports and a decline in import.
Published on 2014-07-31

South Africa Trade Deficit Down to 3-Month Low
South African trade gap decreased to ZAR 0.65 billion in May of 2014 from a revised ZAR 12.4 billion in the previous month. It is the lowest shortfall in three months, due to a sharp fall in imports.
Published on 2014-06-30

South Africa Trade Deficit Widens in April
South African trade gap increased 9.6 percent to ZAR 13 billion in April from a revised ZAR 11.8 billion in the previous month, as prolonged strikes in the mining sector keep dragging exports down.
Published on 2014-05-30

South Africa Posts Sharp Trade Deficit in March
South African trade balance turned into a wider-than-expected ZAR 11.39 billion gap in March of 2014, following a revised ZAR 0.65 billion surplus in February, as mining sales fell and imports surged.
Published on 2014-04-30

South Africa Posts Trade Surplus in February
South African trade balance turned into a ZAR 1.72 billion surplus in February of 2014, after a large ZAR 17 billion gap in January, as exports surged 7.9 percent over the previous month and imports fell sharply by 13.2 percent.
Published on 2014-03-31

South Africa Reports Trade Deficit in January
South Africa trade gap reached ZAR17.06 billion in January of 2014 as imports surged and exports remained virtually unchanged.
Published on 2014-02-28

South Africa Reports Trade Surplus in December
In December of 2013, South African trade balance turned into a surplus for the second straight month and reached ZAR 2.78 billion, breaking a two-year cycle of persistent trade deficit. Since September of 2013, trade figures include trade with regional neighbors Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland.
Published on 2014-01-31

South Africa Posts First Trade Surplus in 23 Months In November
In November of 2013, South African trade balance turned into a surplus of R770 million from a R12.4 billion deficit in the previous month. Exports rose moderately and imports plunged compared to the previous month.
Published on 2013-12-30

South Africa Trade Deficit Narrows in October
In October of 2013, South African trade deficit narrowed to R12.39 billion from R18.4 billion in the previous month as exports increased more than imports.
Published on 2013-11-29

South Africa Revises Trade Balance Calculations
South African September trade deficit was revised to -11.95 billion ZAR, from -18.94 billion ZAR reported last month. The new data includes trade with neighbors Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland that has not been included. As a result, exports rose to 75.86 billion ZAR (from 66.52 billion ZAR announced earlier) and imports reached 87.81 billion ZAR (up from 85.47 billion ZAR in the first release).
Published on 2013-11-15

South African Trade Deficit Narrows in September on Falling Imports
In September of 2013, South African trade deficit narrowed to ZAR 18.94 billion from ZAR 19.09 billion a month earlier, due to a drop in imports.
Published on 2013-10-31

South Africa Trade Deficit Widens to 7-Month High
In August of 2013, South African trade deficit widened to 19.05 billion ZAR from 13.38 billion ZAR in the previous month, due to a sharp fall in shipments of mineral products.
Published on 2013-09-30

South African Trade Deficit Widens in July
In July of 2013, South African trade deficit increased to ZAR 14.2 billion, from ZAR 7.71 billion in June as imports rose more than exports.
Published on 2013-08-30

South African Trade Deficit Narrows in June
In June of 2013, South African trade deficit narrowed for the second month in a row to ZAR 7.71 billion, from ZAR 11.5 billion in May, due to a rebound in mining exports.
Published on 2013-07-31

South African Trade Deficit Narrows in May on Falling Imports
South African trade deficit narrowed to ZAR 11.03 billion in May of 2013, from ZAR 15.91 billion in April, due to lower imports of mineral products. Exports reached ZAR 66.48 billion, while imports decreased from April to May by ZAR 4.80 billion to ZAR 77.51 billion.
Published on 2013-06-28

South Africa Trade Deficit Widens in April
South Africa's trade deficit increased to 15.02B ZAR in April from 7.77B ZAR in March as 3 percent rise in exports was not enough to offset 12.1 percent surge in imports.
Published on 2013-05-31

South Africa Trade Deficit Narrows to 7.77 billion ZAR in March from 9.7 billion ZAR in February
The reduction in the trade deficit from 9.7 billion ZAR in February of 2013 to 7.77 billion ZAR in March was due to a 2.9 percent increase in exports and a 0.3 percent decline in imports.
Published on 2013-04-30

South Africa Trade Deficit Narrows in February
The reduction in the trade deficit from 24.5 billion ZAR in January of 2013 to 9.52 billion ZAR in February was due to a 17 percent increase in exports and a 7.7 percent decline in imports.
Published on 2013-03-28

South Africa Reports the Biggest Trade Deficit on Record
The increased trade deficit of 24.53 billion ZAR in January 2013 from 2.70 billion ZAR in December 2012 was due to increased imports of machinery and electrical appliances, mineral products, base metals, chemical products, plastics and rubber, textile and textile articles, and original equipment components. Exports decreased in precious & semi-precious metals, machinery and electronics, vehicles, vessels and aircraft.
Published on 2013-02-28