The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for September 2009 that record a trade surplus of R3,9 billion.
Summary
The R3,87 billion surplus for September 2009 was mainly due to an increase in exports of 12,77% and a decrease in imports of 1,65%.
Exports for September 2009 of R45,53 billion and imports of R41,66 billion resulted in a surplus of R3,87 billion.
Imports decreased by R0,7 billion (1.65%) to R41,66 billion and exports increased by R5,2 billion (12,77%) to R45,53 billion.
Trade highlights by category
* The August to September change (down by 1,65%) in imports of goods reflected decreases mainly in:
- Mineral products [down by R2,1 billion (20%)]
- Machinery and mechanical appliances and electrical machinery and equipment [down by R0,1 billion (one percent)]
* The August to September change (up by 12,77%) in exports of goods reflected increases mainly in:
- Precious and semi-precious stones and metals [up by R3.2 billion (32%)]
- Base metals and articles thereof [up by R1,5 billion (24%)]
- Vehicles, aircraft and vessels [up by R0,7 billion (26%)]
Trade Highlights by World Zone
The world zone results for September 2009 as given below are unaudited, and those for August 2009 are audited.
* Asia: The deficit decreased from R6,2 billion in August 2009 to R4,7 billion in September 2009. Exports increased by R1.5bn to R14,3 billion and imports decreased by R0,1 billion to R19,0 billion.
* Europe: The deficit decreased from R3,4 billion in August 2009 to R1,2 billion in September 2009. Exports increased by R2,4 billion to R12,7 billion and imports increased by R0,1 billion to R13,9 billion.
* America: The deficit decreased from R0,8 billion in August 2009 to R0,4 billion in September 2009. Exports increased by R0,5 billion to R4,6 billion and imports increased by R0,06 billion to R5,0 billion.
* Africa: The surplus increased from R3,1 billion in August 2009 to R4,6 billion in September 2009. Exports increased by R0,5 billion to R7,4 billion and imports decreased by R0,9 billion to R2,8 billion.
For more detail, visit our website, http://www.sars.gov.za; Customs and Excise; Trade Data
Source: South African Revenue Service
30 October 2009
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.sars.gov.za)
