South Africa's trade surplus shrank to ZAR 33.5 billion in September of 2020 from a downwardly revised ZAR 38.7 billion in the previous month. Imports surged 12.1 percent to ZAR 102.2 billion, mainly boosted by purchases of original equipment components (79 percent); mineral products (23 percent); chemicals (11 percent) and wood pulp & paper (31 percent). Meantime, exports advanced at a slower 4.5 percent to ZAR 135.8 billion, as higher shipments of mineral products (14 percent); machinery & electronics (11 percent) and base metals (7 percent) were partly offset by a decline in those of vegetable products (-16 percent). source: South African Revenue Service

Balance of Trade in South Africa averaged 353.37 ZAR Million from 1957 until 2020, reaching an all time high of 45691.90 ZAR Million in June of 2020 and a record low of -35874.17 ZAR Million in April of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - South Africa Balance of Trade - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. South Africa Balance of Trade - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on November of 2020.

Balance of Trade in South Africa is expected to be 18000.00 ZAR Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. Looking forward, we estimate Balance of Trade in South Africa to stand at 20000.00 in 12 months time. In the long-term, the South Africa Balance of Trade is projected to trend around 15000.00 ZAR Million in 2021 and 27000.00 ZAR Million in 2022, according to our econometric models.

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South Africa Balance of Trade

Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
33514.53 38699.93 45691.90 -35874.17 1957 - 2020 ZAR Million Monthly


Calendar GMT Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2020-07-31 12:00 PM Jun ZAR46.63B ZAR19.69B ZAR 20B
2020-08-31 12:00 PM Jul ZAR37.42B ZAR45.73B ZAR 30B
2020-09-30 12:00 PM Aug ZAR 38.87B ZAR37.18B ZAR29.7B ZAR25B
2020-10-30 12:00 PM Sep ZAR33.51B ZAR38.70B ZAR 42B
2020-11-30 12:00 PM Oct ZAR33.51B
2020-12-28 12:00 PM Nov
2021-02-01 12:00 PM Dec
2021-03-01 12:00 PM Jan
Go to our Calendar for more events. Or learn more about the Calendar API for direct access.


News Stream
South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows in September
South Africa's trade surplus shrank to ZAR 33.5 billion in September of 2020 from a downwardly revised ZAR 38.7 billion in the previous month. Imports surged 12.1 percent to ZAR 102.2 billion, mainly boosted by purchases of original equipment components (79 percent); mineral products (23 percent); chemicals (11 percent) and wood pulp & paper (31 percent). Meantime, exports advanced at a slower 4.5 percent to ZAR 135.8 billion, as higher shipments of mineral products (14 percent); machinery & electronics (11 percent) and base metals (7 percent) were partly offset by a decline in those of vegetable products (-16 percent).
2020-10-30
South Africa Posts 2nd Widest Trade Surplus on Record
South Africa's trade surplus rose to ZAR 38.9 billion in August of 2020 from a downwardly revised ZAR 37.2 billion in the previous month. It was the second-largest monthly trade surplus on record, helped by the further easing of coronavirus restrictions. Exports grew 6.6% month-over-month to ZAR 130.2 billion, driven by shipments of precious metals & stones (36%); vehicles & transport equipment (7%) and mineral products (3%). Meantime, imports advanced 7.4% to ZAR 91.4 billion, boosted by purchases of precious metals & stones (105%), original equipment components (45%); vegetable products (32%); textiles (24%) and vehicles & transport equipment (16%). Considering the first eight months of the year, the country’s trade balance shifted to a ZAR 134 billion surplus from a ZAR 4.1 billion deficit in the same period a year earlier, as exports rose 0.4% while imports slipped 15.9%.
2020-09-30
South Africa Trade Surplus Narrows in July
South Africa's trade surplus decreased to ZAR 37.4 billion in July of 2020 from a downwardly revised ZAR 45.7 billion in the previous month. Still, it was the second-largest monthly trade surplus on record, helped by the further easing of coronavirus restrictions both at home and abroad. Imports surged 22.1 percent to ZAR 85.1 billion, boosted by purchases of vehicles & transport equipment (88%); original equipment components (86%); mineral products (37%); chemicals (17%) and machinery & electronics (15%). Meantime, exports rose at a much slower 6.1 percent to ZAR 122.5 billion, as higher shipments of vehicles & transport equipment (42%) and machinery & electronics (17%) were partly offset by a decrease in those of precious metals & stones (-5 percent).
2020-08-31
South Africa Posts Largest Trade Surplus on Record
South Africa’s trade surplus widened sharply to ZAR 46.6 billion in June 2020 from an upwardly revised ZAR 19.7 billion in the previous month. It was the largest trade surplus on record, amid the easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions locally and in key destination markets. Exports increased 10.1 percent over a month earlier to ZAR 116.3 billion, boosted by sales of vehicles & transport equipment (50%); vegetable products (38%); machinery & electronics (36%); and precious metals & stones (19%). Meantime, imports dropped 18.9 percent to ZAR 69.7 billion, due to lower purchases of original equipment components (-64%); textiles (-53%); vehicles & transport equipment (-40%); mineral products (-20%); and machinery & electronics (-8%). Considering the first half of the year, the country’s trade balance shifted to a ZAR 63.1 billion surplus from a ZAR 4.7 billion deficit in the same period a year earlier.
2020-07-31

South Africa Balance of Trade
In 2017, South Africa recorded the biggest trade deficits with China, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Thailand, France, Nigeria, Italy and Brazil and the biggest trade surpluses with Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Belgium and Netherlands.