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South Africa Trade Surplus Widens in February
South Africa recorded a trade surplus of ZAR 36.9 billion in February 2026, significantly higher than the downwardly revised ZAR 8.5 billion posted in January. Exports climbed by 8.2% month-over-month to ZAR 168.1 billion, boosted by shipments of vehicles & transport equipment (+55%); machinery & electronics (+22%) and base metals (+16%). Conversely, imports slipped by 10.7% to ZAR 131.2 billion, reflecting widespread declines across key categories. Purchases fell significantly for vehicles & transport equipment (-2.5%); base metals (-18%); machinery & electronics (-14%); chemical products (-10%) and original equipment components (-9%).
Published on 2026-03-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Widens in February
South Africa recorded a trade surplus of ZAR 36.9 billion in February 2026, significantly higher than the downwardly revised ZAR 8.5 billion posted in January. Exports climbed by 8.2% month-over-month to ZAR 168.1 billion, boosted by shipments of vehicles & transport equipment (+55%); machinery & electronics (+22%) and base metals (+16%). Overseas sales rose primarily to Oceania (+53.4%), the Americas (+33.1%) and Africa (+17.5%), but declined to Asia (-0.4%). Conversely, imports slipped by 10.7% to a four-year low of ZAR 131.2 billion, reflecting widespread declines across key categories. Purchases fell significantly for vehicles & transport equipment (-2.5%); base metals (-18%); machinery & electronics (-14%); chemical products (-10%) and original equipment components (-9%).
Published on 2026-03-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Widens in February
South Africa recorded a trade surplus of ZAR 36.9 billion in February 2026, significantly higher than the downwardly revised ZAR 8.5 billion posted in January. Exports climbed by 8.2% month-over-month to ZAR 168.1 billion, boosted by shipments of vehicles & transport equipment (+55%); machinery & electronics (+22%) and base metals (+16%). Overseas sales rose primarily to Oceania (+53.4%), the Americas (+33.1%) and Africa (+17.5%), but declined for Asia (-0.4%). Conversely, imports slipped by 10.7% to a four-year low of ZAR 131.2 billion, reflecting widespread declines across key categories. Purchases fell significantly for vehicles & transport equipment (-2.5%); base metals (-18%); machinery & electronics (-14%); chemical products (-10%) and original equipment components (-9%). Imports decreased mostly from the Americas (-22.5%), Europe (-18.5%) and Oceania (-17.3%), and, to a lesser extent, Asia (-5.9%) and Africa (-4.7%).
Published on 2026-03-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Widens in February
South Africa recorded a trade surplus of ZAR 36.9 billion in February 2026, significantly higher than the downwardly revised ZAR 8.5 billion posted in January. Exports climbed by 8.2% month-over-month to ZAR 168.1 billion, boosted by shipments of vehicles & transport equipment (+55%); machinery & electronics (+22%) and base metals (+16%). Conversely, imports slipped by 10.7% to a four-year low of ZAR 131.2 billion, reflecting widespread declines across key categories. Purchases fell significantly for vehicles & transport equipment (-2.5%); base metals (-18%); machinery & electronics (-14%); chemical products (-10%) and original equipment components (-9%).
Published on 2026-03-31

South Africa Posts Smallest Trade Surplus in 5 Months
South Africa's trade surplus fell to ZAR 9.3 billion in January 2026 from the downwardly revised ZAR 22.4 billion in the prior month. It was the smallest trade surplus in five months, as exports slipped by 4.7% over a month to a one-year low of ZAR 155.8 billion. Lower shipments for machinery & electronics (-25%), vehicles & transport equipment (-24%) and chemical products (-24%) outweighed increases observed for vegetable products (29%) and precious metals & stones (11%). Conversely, imports rose by 3.9% to ZAR 146.5 billion, driven by purchases of base metals (30%); original equipment components (21%); vehicles & transport equipment (15%) and mineral products (5%), offsetting a 21% drop in prepared foodstuffs.
Published on 2026-02-27

South Africa Posts Smallest Trade Surplus in 5 Months
South Africa's trade surplus fell to ZAR 9.3 billion in January 2026 from the downwardly revised ZAR 22.4 billion in the prior month. It was the smallest trade surplus in five months, as exports slipped by 4.7% over a month to a one-year low of ZAR 155.8 billion. Lower shipments for machinery & electronics (-25%), vehicles & transport equipment (-24%) and chemical products (-24%) outweighed increases observed for vegetable products (29%) and precious metals & stones (11%). Overseas sales declined to Oceania (-42%), Africa (-18.3%), the Americas (-10.9%), Europe (-3.3%) and Asia (-1.5%). Conversely, imports rose by 3.9% to ZAR 146.5 billion, driven by purchases of base metals (30%); original equipment components (21%); vehicles & transport equipment (15%) and mineral products (5%), offsetting a 21% drop in prepared foodstuffs. Imports increased from Africa (45%), the Americas (20%), Oceania (11.9%) and Europe (11.6%), but slipped from Asia (-7.7%).
Published on 2026-02-27

South Africa Posts Smallest Trade Surplus in 5 Months
South Africa's trade surplus fell to ZAR 9.3 billion in January 2026 from the downwardly revised ZAR 22.4 billion in the prior month. It was the smallest trade surplus in five months, as exports slipped by 4.7% over a month to a one-year low of ZAR 155.8 billion. Lower shipments for machinery & electronics (-25%), vehicles & transport equipment (-24%) and chemical products (-24%) outweighed increases observed for vegetable products (29%) and precious metals & stones (11%). Imports rose by 3.9% to ZAR 146.5 billion.
Published on 2026-02-27

South Africa Posts Smallest Trade Surplus in 5 Months
South Africa's trade surplus fell to ZAR 9.3 billion in January 2026 from the downwardly revised ZAR 22.4 billion in the prior month. It was the smallest trade surplus in five months, as exports slipped by 4.7% over a month to a one-year low of ZAR 155.8 billion. Lower shipments for machinery & electronics (-25%), vehicles & transport equipment (-24%) and chemical products (-24%) outweighed increases observed for vegetable products (29%) and precious metals & stones (11%). Overseas sales declined to Oceania (-42%), Africa (-18.3%), the Americas (-10.9%), Europe (-3.3%) and Asia (-1.5%). Conversely, imports rose by 3.9% to ZAR 146.5 billion, driven by purchases of base metals (30%); original equipment components (21%); vehicles & transport equipment (15%) and mineral products (5%), offsetting a 21% drop in prepared foodstuffs. Imports increased from Africa (45%), the Americas (20%), Oceania (11.9%) and Europe (11.6%), but declined from Asia (-7.7%).
Published on 2026-02-27

South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows in December
South Africa's trade surplus shrank to ZAR 23.2 billion in December 2025 from the upwardly revised ZAR 37.9 billion in the prior month, as exports fell much faster than imports. Exports slipped by 12.5% month-over-month to a ten-month low of ZAR 164.3 billion, mainly due to lower shipments of vehicles & transport equipment (-39%); precious metals & stones (-26%) and base metals (-8%). Meanwhile, imports dropped by 5.8% to ZAR 141.1 billion, as steep declines in purchases of machinery & electronics (-17%); base metals (-11%) and textiles (-11%) outweighed a 21% jump in original equipment components.
Published on 2026-01-30

South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows in December
South Africa's trade surplus shrank to ZAR 23.2 billion in December 2025 from the upwardly revised ZAR 37.9 billion in the prior month, as exports fell much faster than imports. Exports slipped by 12.5% month-over-month to a ten-month low of ZAR 164.3 billion, mainly due to lower shipments of vehicles & transport equipment (-39%); precious metals & stones (-26%) and base metals (-8%). Meanwhile, imports dropped by 5.8% to ZAR 141.1 billion.
Published on 2026-01-30

South Africa Posts Widest Trade Surplus in Nearly 4 Years
South Africa's trade surplus rose to ZAR 37.7 billion in November 2025, the largest since March 2022, up from a downwardly revised ZAR 15 billion in the prior month. Imports tumbled 14.9% month-over-month to ZAR 150 billion, with four of the five main product sections posting declines, led by original equipment components (-51%). Purchases also fell significantly for mineral products (-24%); vehicles & transport equipments (-19%) and chemical products (-18%). Meanwhile, exports fell at a softer 1.9% to ZAR 188 billion.
Published on 2025-12-31

South Africa Posts Widest Trade Surplus in Nearly 4 Years
South Africa's trade surplus rose to ZAR 37.7 billion in November 2025, the largest since March 2022, up from a downwardly revised ZAR 15 billion in the prior month. Imports tumbled 14.9% month-over-month to a five-month low of ZAR 150 billion, with four of the five main product sections posting declines, led by original equipment components (-51%). Purchases also fell significantly for mineral products (-24%); vehicles & transport equipment (-19%) and chemical products (-18%). Meanwhile, exports fell at a softer 1.9% to ZAR 188 billion, as reduced shipments of vegetable products (-37%) and base metals (-9%) were offset by increases in optical photographic products (90%), mineral products (6%) and vehicles & transport equipment (5%).
Published on 2025-12-31

South Africa Posts Widest Trade Surplus in Nearly 4 Years
South Africa's trade surplus rose to ZAR 37.7 billion in November 2025, the largest since March 2022, up from a downwardly revised ZAR 15 billion in the prior month. Imports tumbled 14.9% month-over-month to ZAR 150 billion, with four of the five main product sections posting declines, led by original equipment components (-51%). Purchases also fell significantly for mineral products (-24%); vehicles & transport equipment (-19%) and chemical products (-18%). Meanwhile, exports fell at a softer 1.9% to ZAR 188 billion, as reduced shipments of vegetable products (-37%) and base metals (-9%) were offset by increases in optical photographic products (90%), mineral products (6%) and vehicles & transport equipment (5%).
Published on 2025-12-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows in October
South Africa's trade surplus shrank to ZAR 15.6 billion in October 2025 from an upwardly revised ZAR 22.3 billion in the prior month. Imports jumped by 7.2% over a month to ZAR 176.6 billion, on account of mineral products (+15%), namely crude oil; precious metals & stones (+29%); original equipment components (+18%); base metals (+18%) and vehicles transport equipment (+8%). Imports increased from Africa (+20%) and Asia (+12.4%), but fell from Europe (-3.5%) and the Americas (-1.2%). Meanwhile, exports rose at a slower 2.8% to ZAR 192.2 billion, mainly boosted by shipments of precious metals & stones (+21%), of which gold, diamonds, and unwrought aluminium; and base metals (+21%). Conversely, exports declined sharply for vegetable products (-35%). Overseas sales went up to Africa (+8.3%), but decreased to all other destinations including the Americas (-7.9%), Asia (-2.6%), Europe (-4.1%) and Oceania (-10.2%).
Published on 2025-11-28

South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows in October
South Africa's trade surplus shrank to ZAR 15.6 billion in October 2025 from an upwardly revised ZAR 22.3 billion in the prior month. Imports jumped by 7.2% over a month to ZAR 176.6 billion, on account of mineral products (+15%), namely crude oil; precious metals & stones (+29%); original equipment components (+18%); base metals (+18%) and vehicles transport equipment (+8%). Imports increased from Africa (+20%) and Asia (+12.4%), but fell from Europe (-3.5%) and the Americas (-1.2%). Meanwhile, exports rose at a slower 2.8% to ZAR 192.2 billion, mainly boosted by shipments of precious metals & stones (+21%), of which gold, diamonds, and unwrought aluminium; and base metals (+21%). Conversely, exports declined sharply for vegetable products (-35%).
Published on 2025-11-28

South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows in October
South Africa's trade surplus shrank to ZAR 15.6 billion in October 2025 from an upwardly revised ZAR 22.3 billion in the prior month. Imports jumped by 7.2% over a month to ZAR 176.6 billion, on account of mineral products (+15%), namely crude oil; precious metals & stones (+29%); original equipment components (+18%); base metals (+18%) and vehicles transport equipment (+8%). Meanwhile, exports rose at a slower 2.8% to ZAR 192.2 billion, mainly boosted by shipments of precious metals & stones (+21%), of which gold, diamonds, and unwrought aluminium; and base metals (+21%). Conversely, exports declined sharply for vegetable products (-35%).
Published on 2025-11-28

South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows in October
South Africa's trade surplus shrank to ZAR 15.6 billion in October 2025 from an upwardly revised ZAR 22.3 billion in the prior month. Imports jumped by 7.2% over a month to ZAR 176.6 billion, on account of mineral products (+15%), namely crude oil; precious metals & stones (+29%); original equipment components (+18%); base metals (+18%) and vehicles transport equipment (+8%). Imports increased from Africa (+20%) and Asia (+12.4%), but fell from Europe (-3.5%) and the Americas (-1.2%). Meanwhile, exports rose at a slower 2.8% to ZAR 192.2 billion, mainly boosted by shipments of precious metals & stones (+21%), of which gold, diamonds, and unwrought aluminium; and base metals (+21%). Conversely, exports declined sharply for vegetable products (-35%). Overseas sales went up to Africa (+8.3%), but decreased to all other destinations including the Americas (-7.9%), Asia (-2.6%), Europe (-4.1%) and Oceania (-10.2%).
Published on 2025-11-28

South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows in October
South Africa's trade surplus shrank to ZAR 15.6 billion in October 2025 from an upwardly revised ZAR 22.3 billion in the prior month. Imports jumped by 7.2% over a month to ZAR 176.6 billion, on account of mineral products (+15%), namely crude oil; precious metals & stones (+29%); original equipment components (+18%); base metals (+18%) and vehicles transport equipment (+8%). Meanwhile, exports rose at a slower 2.8% to ZAR 192.2 billion, mainly boosted by shipments of precious metals & stones (+21%), of which gold, diamonds, and unwrought aluminium; and base metals (+21%).
Published on 2025-11-28

South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows in October
South Africa's trade surplus shrank to ZAR 15.6 billion in October 2025 from an upwardly revised ZAR 22.3 billion in the prior month. Imports jumped by 7.2% over a month to ZAR 176.6 billion, on account of mineral products (+15%), namely crude oil; precious metals & stones (+29%); original equipment components (+18%); base metals (+18%) and vehicles transport equipment (+8%). Imports increased from Africa (+20%) and Asia (+12.4%), but fell from Europe (-3.5%) and the Americas (-1.2%). Meanwhile, exports rose at a slower 2.8% to ZAR 192.2 billion, mainly boosted by shipments of precious metals & stones (+21%), of which gold, diamonds, and unwrought aluminium; and base metals (+21%). Conversely, exports declined sharply for vegetable products (-35%). Overseas sales went up to Africa (+8.3%), but decreased to all other destinations including the Americas (-7.9%), Asia (-2.6%), Europe (-4.1%) and Oceania (-10.2%).
Published on 2025-11-28

South Africa Logs Widest Trade Surplus in 6 Months
South Africa's trade surplus widened to ZAR 21.8 billion in September 2025 from a downwardly revised ZAR 2.4 billion in the prior month. It was the largest trade surplus since March this year, as exports soared 9.4% over a month to a 2-1/2-year high of ZAR 186.4 billion, boosted by precious metals & stones (+34%). Shipments also increased for mineral products (+8%); base metals (+8%) and vehicles & transport equipment (+7%), but fell for vegetable products (-6%). Exports rose to the Americas (+28.9%), Asia (+19.5%) and Oceania (+6.5%), while declining to Africa (-2.9%) and Europe (-1.3%). Meanwhile, imports dropped by 2% to ZAR 164.6 billion, on lower purchases of original equipment components (-18%); vegetable products (-20%) and precious metals & stones (-17%). Acquisitions were reduced from Europe (-10%), Oceania (-10.3%) and the Americas (-4.6%), but increased from Africa (+11.2%) and Asia (+0.7%).
Published on 2025-10-31