The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for December 2019 recording a trade surplus of R14.85 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN). The year-to-date (01 January to 31 December 2019) trade surplus of R24.70 billion is an improvement from the R15.23 billion surplus for the comparable period in 2018. Exports increased by 4.1% year-on-year whilst imports for the same period showed an increase of 3.3%.
Including trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN)
The R14.85 billion trade surplus for December 2019 is attributable to exports of R103.31 billion and imports of R88.47 billion. Exports decreased from November 2019 to December 2019 by R13.02 billion (11.2%) and imports decreased from November 2019 to December 2019 by R22.22 billion (20.1%).
Exports for the year-to-date (01 January to 31 December) increased by 4.1% from R1 247.21 billion in 2018 to R1 297.85 billion in 2019. Imports for the year-to-date of R1 273.16 billion are 3.3% more than the R1 231.98 billion imports recorded in January to December 2018, leaving a cumulative trade surplus of R24.70 billion.
On a year-on-year basis, the R14.85 billion trade surplus for December 2019 is a deterioration from the R16.43 billion surplus recorded in December 2018. Exports of R103.31 billion are 1.3% more than the R102.02 billion exports recorded in December 2018. Imports of R88.47 billion are 3.4% more than the R85.58 billion imports recorded in December 2018.
November 2019’s trade surplus was revised downwards by R0.45 billion from the previous month’s preliminary surplus of R6.10 billion to a revised surplus of R5.64 billion as a result of ongoing Vouchers of Correction (VOC’s).
Read more: Trade Statistics- December 2019
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