31 March 2009
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics and
recorded a decrease in the trade deficit from R17,4 billion in January 2009 to
a trade deficit of R571 million in February 2009.
Summary
The deficit of R571 million for February 2009 was mainly due to increased
exports and reduced imports.
Exports for February 2009 were R44,061 billion (R46,946 billion in February
2008) and imports for February 2009 were R44,632 billion (R52,766 billion in
February 2008).
Imports decreased on the previous month by R8,999 billion (16,78%) to
R44,632 billion and exports increased by R7,810 billion (21,54%) to R44,061
billion.
Trade highlights by category
* The January to February decrease (down by 16,78%) in imports of goods;
reflected decreases mainly in:
* machinery and mechanical appliances and electrical machinery and equipment
[down by R3,755 billion (24%)]
* mineral products [down by R1,979 billion (17%)] and
* chemical products [down by R622 million (14%)]
* The January to February change (up by 21,54 %) in exports of goods; reflected
increases mainly in:
* precious metals and stones [up by R2,183 billion (28%)].
* vehicles [up by R1,545 billion (58%)], and
* mineral products [up by R1,453 billion and mainly iron ore (22%)].
Trade highlights by world zone
The world zone results for February 2009 as given below are unaudited:
* Asia: the deficit with Asia decreased from R12,8 billion in January 2009 to
R4,8 billion in February 2009. Exports to Asia increased by R1,8 billion to
R13,2 billion and imports decreased by R6,2 billion to R18 billion.
* Europe: the deficit with Europe decreased from R6,2 billion in January 2009
to R2,9 billion in February 2009. Exports to Europe increased by R0,8 billion
to R12 billion and imports decreased by R2,5 billion to R14,9 billion.
* America: the deficit with America decreased from R4,3 billion in January 2009
to R1,8 billion in February 2009. Exports to America increased by R1,8 billion
to R5,1 billion and imports decreased by R0,7 billion to R6,9 billion.
* Africa: the deficit with Africa increased from R3,9 billion in January 2009
to R4,2 billion in February 2009. Exports increased by R1,6 billion to R8,2
billion and imports increased by R1,2 billion to R4 billion.
For detailed information on the Trade Statistics, please visit (http://www.sars.gov.za)
For further media enquiries please call:
Adrian Lackay
SARS Communications
Tel: 012 422 4206
Cell: 083 388 2580
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
31 March 2009
