The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for October 2009 that record a trade deficit of R6,7 billion.
Summary
The 6,7 billion deficit for October 2009 was mainly due to an increase in imports of 21,92% and a decrease in exports of 3,18%.
Exports for October 2009 of 44,09 billion and imports of R50,80 billion resulted in a deficit of 6,7 billion.
Imports increased by R9,13 billion (21,92%) to R50,80 billion and exports decreased by R1,45 billion (3,18%) to R44,09 billion.
Trade highlights by category
* The September to October change (up by 21,92%) in imports of goods reflected increases mainly in:
- Mineral products [up by R3,8 billion (46%)]
- Machinery and mechanical appliances and electrical machinery and equipment [up by R1,9 billion (18%)];
- Original equipment components [up by R0,9 billion (42%)]
- Vehicles, aircraft and vessels [up by R0,7 billion (20%)].
* The September to October change (down by 3,18%) in exports of goods reflected decreases mainly in:
- Precious and semi-precious stones and metals [down by R2,7 billion (21%)]
- Products of the chemicals or allied industry [down by R0,4 billion (13%)]
- Vegetable products [down by R0,4 billion (27%)].
Trade Highlights by World Zone
The world zone results for October 2009 as given below are unaudited, and those for September 2009 are audited.
* Asia: The deficit increased from R4,7 billion in September 2009 to R8,5 billion in October 2009. Exports decreased by R1,6 billion to R12,7 billion and imports increased by R2,1 billion to R21,1 billion.
* Europe: The deficit increased from R1,2 billion in September 2009 to R4,7 billion in October 2009. Exports increased by R0,4 billion to R13,1 billion and imports increased by R3,9 billion to R17,8 billion.
* America: The deficit increased from R0,4 billion in September 2009 to R0,06 billion in October 2009. Exports increased by R0,7 billion to R5,3 billion and imports increased by R0,02 billion to R5,2 billion.
* Africa: The surplus decreased from R4,5 billion in September 2009 to R2,4 billion in October 2009. Exports increased by R0,7 billion to R8,0 billion and imports increased by R2,8 billion to R5,6 billion.
For more details, visit our Trade Statistics page on http://www.sars.gov.za/home.asp?pid=1306
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
30 November 2009
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.sars.gov.za)
