The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for July 2009 that record a trade surplus of R4 billion.
This is the third consecutive surplus since May 2009. Between 2004 and 2008 there have never been three consecutive surpluses; there were two consecutive surpluses in 2004 and three surpluses in 2005 during April, June and December.
The progressive deficit from January to July 2009 is R17,4 billion, which is largely attributed to the deficit in January 2009 (R17,5 billion). The progressive deficit from January to July 2008 was R48,09 billion.
Summary
The R4 billion surplus for July 2009 was mainly due to an increase in exports of 3.31 percent and an increase in imports of 10.54 percent. Exports for July 2009 of R44.4 billion and imports of R44 billion resulted in a surplus of R4 billion.
Imports increased by R4,2 billion (10,54 percent) to R44 billion and exports increased by R1.4 billion (3,31 percent) to R44,4 billion.
Trade highlights by category
The June to July change (up by 10,54 percent) in imports of goods reflected increases mainly in:
* mineral products up by R1,5 billion (18 percent)
* vehicles, vessels and aircrafts up by R1,4 billion (44 percent) and
* original equipment components up by R5 billion (28 percent).
The June to July change (up by 3,31 percent) in exports of goods reflected increases mainly in:
* mineral products up by R1,5 billion (18 percent)
* base metals and articles thereof up by R7 billion (11 percent)
* machinery and electrical appliances up by R5 billion (14 percent) and
* vehicles, aircraft and vessels up by R5 billion (19 percent).
Trade highlights by world zone
The world zone results for July 2009 as given below are not audited, and those for June 2009 are audited.
Asia
The deficit increased from R3,7 billion in June 2009 to R4,6 billion in July 2009. Exports increased by R4 billion to R14,6 billion and imports increased by R1,3 billion to R19,2 billion.
Europe
The deficit increased from R1,3 billion in June 2009 to R2,6 billion in July 2009. Exports increased by R1.6 billion to R13,8 billion and imports increased by R2.9 billion to R16,4 billion.
America
The deficit decreased from R1,6 billion in June 2009 to R1,2 billion in July 2009. Exports increased by R2 billion to R3,9 billion and imports decreased by R2 billion to R5,1 billion.
Africa
The surplus increased from R4,7 billion to R5,4 billion. Exports increased by R7 billion to R7,9 billion and imports increased by R1 billion to R2,5 billion.
Further details are available on the trade statistics page: http://www.sars.gov.za
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
31 August 2009
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.sars.gov.za/)
