The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for April 2013 that record a trade deficit of R15.02 billion.
Summary
The R15.02 billion deficit for April 2013 can be attributed to exports of R65.43 billion and imports of R80.45 billion. Exports increased from March to April by R1.93 billion (3.0%) and imports increased from to March to April by R8.69 billion (12.1%).
The increase in the trade deficit was due to increases in imports of mineral products, plastics & rubber, base metals, machinery & electrical appliances and original equipment components. The cumulative deficit for 2013 is R57.01 billion compared to R36.62 billion in 2012.
Trade Highlights by Category
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The March to April change (up by 3.0%) in exports of goods reflected increases mainly in:
- Mineral products increased by R624 million (4%);
- Base metals and articles thereof increased by R771 million (10%);
- The March to April change (up by 12.1%) in imports of goods reflected increases mainly in:
- Mineral products increased by R3 526 million (22%);
- Plastics and rubber and articles thereof increased by R533 million (20%);
- Base metals and articles thereof increased by R420 million (11%);
- Machinery and electrical appliances increased by R3 473 million (21%);
- Original equipment components increased by R523 million (10%).
Trade Highlights by World Zone
The world zone results for March to April 2013 as given below are unaudited.
- Asia: The deficit increased from R7.21 billion in March 2013 to R13.46 billion in April 2013. Exports increased by R2.49 billion to R24.92 billion and imports increased by R8.75 billion to R38.38 billion.
- Europe: The deficit increased from R8.07 billion in March 2013 to R9.88 billion in April 2013. Exports decreased by R1.17 billion to R15.02 billion and imports increased by R0.65 billion to R24.90 billion.
- America: The deficit decreased from R1.62 billion in March 2013 to R1.57 billion in April 2013. Exports decreased by R0.79 billion to R6.30 billion and imports decreased by R 0.84 billion to R7.87 billion.
- Africa: The surplus increased from R3.14 billion in March 2013 to R4.52 billion in April 2013. Exports increased by R1.16 billion to R12.06 billion and imports decreased by R0.22 billion to R7.54 billion.
- Oceania: The deficit increased from R0.49 billion in March 2013 to R0.68 billion in April 2013. Exports decreased by R0.10 billion to R0.76 billion and imports increased by R0.09 billion to R1.44 billion.
