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4 February 2025 – South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R15.5 billion in December 2024. This surplus was attributable to exports of R160.0 billion and imports of R144.6 billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
The year-to-date (01 January to 31 December 2024) preliminary trade balance surplus of R196.1 billion was an improvement from the R130.0 billion trade balance surplus for the comparable period in 2023. On a year-on-year basis, export flows for December 2024 (R160.0 billion) were 3.3% lower compared to R165.6 billion recorded in December 2023. Import flows were lower by 1.3%, having decreased from R146.6 billion in December 2023 to R144.6 billion in the current period.
On a month-on-month basis, exports decreased by R20.2 billion (-11.2%) from R180.3 billion to R160.0 billion between November and December 2024, whilst imports decreased by R1.6 billion (-1.1%) from R146.2 billion to R144.6 billion over the same period. Export flows decreased in December 2024, driven by PGMs and Vehicles (Passengers & Goods). Import flows decreased on the back of lower importation of Rice, Electrical Transformers and Inductors, and Nitrogenous Mineral or Chemical Fertilizers. Source: South African Revenue Service