SARS releases trade statistics for November 2017
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for November 2017 recording a trade balance surplus of R13.02 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS). The year-to-date (01 January to 30 November 2017) trade balance surplus of R64.75 billion is an improvement on the deficit for the comparable period in 2016 of R11.22 billion. Exports for the year-to-date grew by 7.6% whilst imports for the same period showed an increase of 0.04%.
Including trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS)
The R13.02 billion trade balance surplus for November 2017 is attributable to exports of R116.16 billion and imports of R103.14 billion. Exports increased from October 2017 to November 2017 by R11.99 billion (11.5%) and imports increased from October 2017 to November 2017 by R3.30 billion (3.3%). Exports for the year-to-date (01 January to 30 November 2017) grew by 7.6% from R1 006.79 billion in 2016 to R1 083.12 billion in 2017.
Imports for the year-to-date of R1 018.37 billion are 0.04% more than the imports recorded in January to November 2016 of R1 018.02 billion, leaving a cumulative trade balance surplus of R64.75 billion for 2017. On a year-on-year basis, the R13.02 billion trade balance surplus for November 2017 is an improvement from the deficit recorded in November 2016 of R1.24 billion.
Exports of R116.16 billion are 16.8% more than the exports recorded in November 2016 of R99.50 billion. Imports of R103.14 billion are 2.4% more than the imports recorded in November 2016 of R100.73 billion. October 2017’s trade balance surplus was revised downwards by R0.22 billion from the previous month’s preliminary surplus of R4.56 billion to a revised surplus of R4.34 billion as a result of ongoing Vouchers of Correction (VOC’s).
