The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for January 2010 that record a trade deficit of R3,3 billion.
Summary
The R3,3 billion deficit for January 2010 was due to a decrease in imports of 4,14 percent and a decrease in exports of 19,24 percent. Exports for January 2010 of R36,64 billion and imports of R39,97 billion resulted in a deficit of R3,33 billion.
Imports decreased by R1,73 billion (4,14 percent) to R39,97 billion and exports decreased by R8,73 billion (19,24 percent) to R36,64 billion. The monthly trade deficit for 2010 is R3,33 billion compared to a deficit of R17,47 billion in January 2009, a decline of R14,14 billion or 81 percent.
Trade highlights by category
The December to January change (down by 4,14 percent) in imports of goods reflected decreases mainly in:
* mineral products (down by R5,1 billion (44 percent)
* a decrease of R1 billion (21 percent)] in vehicles, aircraft and vessels
The December to January change (down by 19,24 percent) in exports of goods reflected decreases mainly in:
* precious and semi-precious stones (down by R3,4 billion, 27 percent)
* vehicles, aircraft and vessels (down by R1,7 billion, 41 percent)
* machinery and electrical appliances (down by R1,3 billion, 32 percent) and
* mineral products (down by R0,7 billion eight percent)
Trade highlights by world zone
The world zone results for January 2010 as given below are unaudited, and those for December 2009 are audited.
Asia
The deficit decreased from R5,9 billion in December 2009 to R5,2 billion in January 2010. Exports decreased by R1,2 billion to R12 billion and imports decreased by R1,8 billion to R17,3 billion.
Europe
The surplus of R0.9 billion in December 2009 changed to a deficit of R2,6 billion in January 2010. Exports decreased by R1,3 billion to R12,1 billion and imports increased by R2,2 billion to R14,7 billion.
America
The surplus of R0,05 billion in December 2009 changed to a deficit of R0,6 billion in January 2010. Exports decreased by R0,8 billion to R3,8 billion and imports decreased by R0,1 billion to R4,4 billion.
Africa
The surplus increased from R2,9 billion in December 2009 to R3 billion in January 2010. Exports decreased by R1, 8 billion to R5,5 billion and imports decreased by R2 billion to R2,5 billion.
For more details on trade statistics, visit: http://www.sars.gov.za/home.asp?pid=1306
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
26 February 2010
