The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for October 2010 that record a trade deficit of R3.2 billion, compared to a surplus of R3.6 billion in September 2010.
Summary
The R3.2 billion deficit for October 2010 was due to a decrease in exports of 6.3% and an increase in imports of 7.0%.
Exports for October 2010 of R49.8 billion and imports of R53.0 billion resulted in a deficit of R3.2 billion.
Exports decreased by R3.3 billion (6.3%) and imports increased by R3.5 billion (7.0%).
The cumulative deficit for the year to date is R13.2 billion compared to R26.7 billion in 2009, an improvement of R13.5 billion or 50.7%.
Trade highlights by category
- The September to October change (down by -6.3%) in exports of goods reflected increases mainly in:
- Vehicles, aircraft and vessels increased by R2 521 million (89%);
- A decrease in Products of the chemical or allied industries by R 491 million (-18%);
- A decrease Base metals and articles thereof by R 534 million (-6%);
- A decrease Precious and semi-precious stones and metals by R1 098 million (-7%) and
- A decrease Mineral products by R2 961 million (-25%).
- The September to October change (up by 7.0%) in imports of goods reflected increases mainly in:
- Machinery and electrical appliances increased by R1 677 million (14%);
- Vehicles, aircraft and vessels increased by R1 256 million (32%);
- Products of the chemical or allied industries increased by R 409 million (8%);
- Original equipment components increased by R 168 million (5%) and
- A decrease in Mineral products by R 478 million (-5%).
Trade highlights by world zone
The world zone results for September and October 2010 as given below are unaudited.
- Asia: The deficit increased from R 4.3 bn in September to R 10.6 bn in October 2010. Exports decreased by R 3.0 bn to
R 14.9bn and imports increased by R 3.3 bn to R 25.5 bn. - Europe: The deficit increased from R 1.2 bn in September to R 3.3 bn in October 2010. Exports decreased by R 0.1 bn to
R 14.0bn and imports increased by R 2.0 bn to R 17.3 bn. - America: The deficit increased from R 0.3 bn in September to R 0.8 bn in October 2010. Exports decreased by R 0.1 bn to
R 5.8bn and imports increased by R 0.4 bn to R 6.6 bn. - Africa: The surplus increased from R 2.8bn in September to R 5.9bn in October 2010. Exports increased by R 0.4bn to
R 8.3bn and imports decreased by R 2.7 bn to R 2.4 bn. - Oceania: The deficit increased proportionately by R 0.3bn in September and October 2010. Exports increased by R 0.3bn to
R 0.8bn and imports increased by R 0.3 bn to R 1.1 bn.
See tables.
Please see the SARS Trade Statistics webpage for more detail.
