The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for April 2010 that record a trade deficit of R1.9 billion.
Summary
The R1.9 billion deficit for April 2010 was due to a decrease in imports of 9.83 percent and a decrease in exports of 14.29 percent. Exports for April 2010 of R44.17 billion and imports of R46.06 billion resulted in a deficit of R1.89 billion.
Imports decreased by R5.02 billion (9.83 percent) to R46.06 billion and exports decreased by R7.37 billion (14.29 percent) to R44.17 billion.
The trade deficit for April 2010 is R1.89 billion (deficit of R1.53 billion in April 2009) compared to a surplus of R0.46 billion in March 2010, a month on month decline of R1.43 billion.
The cumulative deficit for the year to date is R10.90 billion compared to R21.75 billion in 2009, an improvement of R10.85 billion or 50 percent.
Trade highlights by category
The March to April change (down by 14.29 percent) in exports of goods reflected decreases mainly in:
* precious and semi-precious stones and metals: down by R2.5 billion (-20 percent)
* mineral products: down by R1.4 billion (-13 percent)
* vehicles, aircraft and vessels: down by R1.20 billion (-25 percent)
* base metals and articles there of: down by R0.7 billion (-9percent) and
* machinery and electrical appliances: down by R0.4 billion (-11 percent)
The March to April change (down by 9.83 percent) in imports of goods reflected decreases mainly in:
* mineral products: down by R1.6 billion (-15 percent)
* vehicles, aircraft and vessels: down by R0.8 million (-15 percent) and
* machinery and electrical appliances: down by R0.5 billion (-4 percent)
Trade highlights by world zone
The world zone results for March and April 2010 as given below are unaudited.
* Asia: The deficit increased from R4.3 billion in March 2010 to R5.4 billion in April 2010. Exports decreased by R1.5 billion to R15.9 billion and imports decreased by R0.46 billion to R21.3 billion.
* Europe: The deficit decreased from R4.4 billion in March 2010 to R3.5 billion in April 2010. Exports decreased by R1.4 billion to R12.5 billion and imports decreased by R2.3 billion to R16 billion.
* America: The surplus of R0.4 billion in March 2010 changed to a deficit of R1.1 billion in April 2010. Exports decreased by R1.8 billion to R4.4 billion and imports decreased by R0.33 billion to R5.5 billion.
* Africa: The surplus increased from R3.5 billion in March 2010 to R4.7 billion in April 2010. Exports decreased by R0.7 billion to R6.9 billion and imports decreased by R2 billion to R2.1 billion.
To see trade statistics page follow the link: http://www.sars.gov.za/home.asp?pid=1306
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
31 May 2010
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.sars.gov.za/)
