South Africa Balance of Trade  1957-2018 | Data | Chart | Calendar

South Africa trade surplus widened to ZAR 12.0 billion in June of 2018 from an upwardly revised ZAR 3.84 billion in the previous month and well above market expectations of a ZAR 5.0 billion surplus. It was the largest trade surplus since December last year, as exports rose and imports fell. Considering the first half of the year, the country recorded a trade deficit of ZAR 1.79 billion. Balance of Trade in South Africa averaged 86.10 ZAR Million from 1957 until 2018, reaching an all time high of 18730.94 ZAR Million in May of 2016 and a record low of -27100 ZAR Million in January of 2018.

South Africa Balance of Trade
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South Africa Trade Surplus Largest in 6 Months


South Africa trade surplus widened to ZAR 12.0 billion in June of 2018 from an upwardly revised ZAR 3.84 billion in the previous month and well above market expectations of a ZAR 5.0 billion surplus. It was the largest trade surplus since December last year, as exports rose and imports fell. Considering the first half of the year, the country recorded a trade deficit of ZAR 1.79 billion.

Exports increased 7.1 percent month-over-month to ZAR 110.1 billion in June of 2018, driven by higher sales of precious metals and stonces (38.0 percent); base metals (13 percent) and vehicles and transport equipment (8 percent). In contrast, exports of mineral products fell (-6 percent). The most important export partners were: the UK (9.1 percent of total exports), China (7.9 percent), the US (7.0 percent), Germany (6.5 percent) and India (5.1 percent).

Imports dropped 0.9 percent month-over-month to ZAR 98.1 billion, mainly due to vegetable products (-51 percent); base metals (-9 percent) and machinery and electronics (-3 percent). On the other hand, higher purchases were recorded for mineral products (11 percent)n and original equipment components (15 percent). Main import partners were: China (17.5 percent of total imports), Germany (10.6 percent), the US (6.0 percent), Saudi Arabia (5.1 percent) and Nigeria (4.3 percent).

Excluding trade with neighboring Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland, the country recorded a trade deficit of ZAR 4.69 billion in June.


South African Revenue Service | Stefanie Moya | stefanie.moya@tradingeconomics.com
7/31/2018 12:24:10 PM


Recent Releases

South Africa Trade Surplus Widens in May
South Africa trade surplus increased to ZAR 3.52 billion from aun upwardly revised ZAR 1.17 billion in the previous month and below market expectations of a ZAR 5.9 billion surplus. Considering the January to May period, the country posted a trade deficit of ZAR 17.77 billion.
Published on 2018-06-29

South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows Sharply in April
South Africa trade surplus decreased to ZAR 1.14 billion in April of 2018 from a downwardly revised ZAR 9.30 billion in the prior month, missing market expectations of a ZAR 3.7 billion surplus. Considering the January to April period, the country recorded a trade deficit of ZAR 17.6 billion.
Published on 2018-05-31

South Africa Trade Surplus Beats Expectations
South Africa trade balance shifted to ZAR 9.47 billion surplus in March of 2018, from an upwardly revised ZAR 0.60 billion deficit in the previous month, and well above market expectations of a ZAR 3.7 billion surplus. It was the smallest trade surplus since October last year. Considering the first quarter of the year, the country recorded a trade deficit of ZAR 18.6 billion.
Published on 2018-04-30

South Africa Trade Balance Swings to Surplus in February
South Africa trade balance shifted to ZAR 0.43 billion surplus in February of 2018, compared to a downwardly revised ZAR 27.1 billion deficit in the prior month, and above market consensus of a ZAR 3.0 billion deficit. It was the smallest trade surplus since November of 2015.
Published on 2018-03-29



Calendar GMT Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2018-05-31 12:00 PM Balance of Trade ZAR1.14B ZAR9.47B ZAR3.7B ZAR 4.2B
2018-06-29 12:00 PM Balance of Trade ZAR3.52B ZAR1.17B ZAR5.9B ZAR 2.3B
2018-07-31 12:00 PM Balance of Trade ZAR12.0B ZAR3.84B ZAR5B ZAR 5.1B
2018-08-31 12:00 PM Balance of Trade ZAR12.0B ZAR -5.6B
2018-09-28 12:00 PM Balance of Trade ZAR 0.82B
2018-10-31 12:00 PM Balance of Trade ZAR 6.9B


South Africa Trade Last Previous Highest Lowest Unit
Balance of Trade 11999.00 3844.00 18730.94 -27100.00 ZAR Million [+]
Exports 110148.00 102880.00 116185.90 55.80 ZAR Million [+]
Imports 98148.00 99036.00 110258.82 66.10 ZAR Million [+]
Current Account -229000.00 -137000.00 15627.00 -246452.00 ZAR Million [+]
Current Account to GDP -2.50 -2.80 6.00 -7.50 percent [+]
External Debt 183239.00 173319.00 183239.00 33262.00 USD Million [+]
Tourist Arrivals 1196107.00 1298709.00 1598893.00 37430.00 [+]
Gold Reserves 125.30 125.30 183.51 123.48 Tonnes [+]
Terrorism Index 4.09 3.53 4.23 0.22 [+]
Weapons Sales 74.00 65.00 235.00 1.00 USD Million [+]
Crude Oil Production 2.00 2.00 58.00 2.00 BBL/D/1K [+]
Foreign Direct Investment 1961.00 1850.00 2101.00 1.00 ZAR Billion [+]

Exports by Country  |   Exports by Category  |   Imports by Country  |   Imports by Category



South Africa Balance of Trade

In 2017, South Africa recorded the biggest trade deficits with China, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Thailand, France, Nigeria, Italy and Brazil and the biggest trade surpluses with Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Belgium and Netherlands. This page provides the latest reported value for - South Africa Balance of Trade - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. South Africa Balance of Trade - actual data, historical chart and calendar of releases - was last updated on August of 2018.

Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
11999.00 3844.00 18730.94 -27100.00 1957 - 2018 ZAR Million Monthly




balance of trade by Country
Country Last
Australia 1873.00 Jun/18
Brazil 4227.00 Jul/18
Canada -625.50 Jun/18
China 280.50 Jul/18
Euro Area 16514.10 May/18
France -6248.00 Jun/18
Germany 21792.00 Jun/18
India -18020.00 Jul/18
Indonesia -2030.30 Jul/18
Italy 5071.00 Jun/18
Japan 721.41 Jun/18
Mexico -897.00 Jun/18
Netherlands 4813.00 Jun/18
Russia 15555.00 Jun/18
South Korea 7006.00 Jul/18
Spain -2153628.00 May/18
Switzerland 1308.99 Jun/18
Turkey -5496.69 Jun/18
United Kingdom -1861.00 Jun/18
United States -46348.00 Jun/18


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