The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for June 2019 recording a trade surplus of R4.42 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN). The year to-date (01 January to 30 June 2019) trade deficit of R1.94 billion is a deterioration from the R0.11 billion surplus for the comparable period in 2018.
Exports decreased by 1.6% year-on-year whilst imports for the same period showed an increase of 6.1%. Including trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN) The R4.42 billion trade surplus for June 2019 is attributable to exports of R108.17 billion and imports of R103.75 billion. Exports decreased from May 2019 to June 2019 by R3.61 billion (3.2%) and imports decreased from May 2019 to June 2019 by R6.33 billion (5.8%). Exports for the year-to-date (01 January to 30 June) increased by 8.0% from R569.50 billion in 2018 to R615.10 billion in 2019. Imports for the year-to-date of R617.04 billion are 8.4% more than the R569.39 billion imports recorded in January to June 2018, leaving a cumulative trade deficit of R1.94 billion for 2019.
On a year-on-year basis, the R4.42 billion trade surplus for June 2019 is a deterioration from the R12.19 billion surplus recorded in June 2018. Exports of R108.17 billion are 1.6% less than the R109.98 billion exports recorded in June 2018. Imports of R103.75 billion are 6.1% more than the R97.78 billion imports recorded in June 2018. May 2019’s trade surplus was revised downwards by R0.04 billion from the previous month’s preliminary surplus of R1.74 billion to a revised surplus of R1.70 billion as a result of ongoing Vouchers of Correction (VOC’s).
Full statement
Issued by
More from
More on
