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6 November 2023 – South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R13.1 billion in September 2023. This surplus is attributable to exports of R174.65 billion and imports of R161.51 billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
The year-to-date (01 January to 30 September 2023) preliminary trade balance surplus of R43.0 billion is a deterioration from the R179.9 billion trade balance surplus for the comparable period in 2022. On a year-on-year basis, export flows for September 2023 were 6.0% lower compared to R185.7 billion recorded in September 2022, whilst import flows were 2.8% lower having decreased from R166.2 billion in September 2022 to R161.5 billion in the current period.
On a month-to-month basis, exports decreased by R5.9 billion (-3.3%) from R180.5 billion to R174.6 billion between August and September 2023, whilst imports decreased by R6.4 billion (-3.8%) from R167.9 billion to R161.5 billion over the same period. Export flows decreased in September driven by Iron Ores and Concentrates; Diamonds; Vehicles (Passengers); and Citrus Fruit, Fresh or Dried. Value of imports decreased on the back of sizable decreases in the importation of Original Equipment Components; Vehicles (Passengers); and Electric Accumulators, including Separators Therefor. Due to ongoing Vouchers of Correction (VOCs), the preliminary trade balance surplus of R13.3 billion announced for August 2023 was revised downwards by R0.7 billion, with the final number at R12.6 billion. Download full stats here: https://www.tralac.org/documents/resources/by-country/south-africa/5042-south-africa-trade-statistics-for-september-2023-sars-1/file.html
Source: SARS