The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for September 2010 that record a trade surplus of R3.6 billion, compared to a deficit of R4.7 billion in August 2010.
Summary
The R3.6 billion surplus for September 2010 (Surplus of R2.7 billion in September 2009) was due to an increase in exports of 9.6% and a decrease in imports of 6.9%.
Exports for September 2010 of R53.16 billion and imports of R49.54 billion resulted in a surplus of R3.62 billion.
Exports increased by R4.6 billion (9.6%) and imports decreased by R3.6 billion (6.9%).
The loss in mineral products exports in August 2010 due to a derailment late July on an export line was subsequently recovered during September 2010, and is the major contributor towards the 27% month on month increase.
The cumulative deficit for the year to date is R9.5 billion compared to R18.5 billion in 2009, an improvement of R9 billion or 48.9%.
Trade Highlights by Category
- The August to September change (up by 9.6%) in exports of goods reflected increases mainly in:
- Precious and semi-precious stones and metals increased by R2 577 million (21%);
- Mineral products increased by R2 552 million (27%);
- Base metals and articles thereof increased by R1 707 million (25%) and
- A decrease in Vehicles, aircraft and vessels by R1 485 million (-34%).
- The August to September change (down by -6.9%) in imports of goods reflected decreases mainly in:
- Vehicles, aircraft and vessels decreased by R2 102 million (-35%);
- Machinery and electrical appliances decreased by R1 548 million (-11%);
- Original equipment components decreased by R 700 million (-18%) and
- An increase in Mineral products by R1 555 million (18%).
Trade Highlights by World Zone
The world zone results for August and September 2010 as given below are unaudited.
- Asia: The deficit decreased from R8.1 billion in August to R4.3 billion in September 2010. Exports increased by R2.3 billion to R 17.9bn and imports decreased by R 1.5 billion to R22.2 billion.
- Europe: The deficit decreased from R4.8 billion in August to R1.2 billion in September 2010. Exports increased by R 1.3bn to R14.1 billion and imports decreased by R2.2 billion to R15.3 billion.
- America: The surplus moved from R0.2 billion in August to a deficit of R0.3 billion in September 2010. Exports decreased by R0.7 billion to R5.9 billion and imports decreased by R0.2 billion to R6.2 billion.
- Africa: The surplus decreased from R3.3 billion in August to R2.8 billion in September 2010. Exports decreased by R0.1 billion to R7.9 billion and imports increased by R0.4 billion to R5.1 billion.
- Oceania: The deficit increased from R0.1 billion in August to R0.3 billion in September 2010. Exports decreased by R0.3 billion to R0.5 billion and imports decreased by R0.1 billion to R0.8 billion.
Source: South African Revenue Service
