Trade statistics from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for August 2013 show a trade deficit of R19.05 billion.

Summary            

The R19.05 billion deficit for August 2013 can be attributed to exports of R70.70 billion and imports of R89.75 billion.

Exports decreased from July to August by R5.81 billion (7.6%) and imports decreased from July to August by R0.13 billion (0.1%).

The cumulative deficit for 2013 is R107.31 billion compared to R69.91 billion in 2012.

Trade Highlights by Category    

•             The July to August change (down by 7.6%) in exports of goods reflected the following:

◦ Mineral products decreased by R4 313 million (-23%);

◦ Precious and semi-precious stones and metals decreased by R1 161 million (-7%);

◦ Base metals and articles thereof decreased by R 803 million (-8%);

◦ Vegetable products decreased by R 576 million (-12%);

◦ Pulp of wood, waste and scrap of paper increased by R 637 million (70%);

•             The July to August change (down by 0.1%) in imports of goods reflected the following:

◦ Mineral products increased by R3 051 million (19%);

◦ Base metals and articles thereof increased by R 523 million (12%);

◦ Machinery and electrical appliances decreased by R1 699 million (-7%);

◦ Products of the chemicals or allied industries decreased by R 684 million (-8%);

◦ Vehicles, aircraft and vessels decreased by R 527 million (-5%);

◦ Vegetable products decreased by R 512 million (-25%);

Trade Highlights by World Zone                              

The world zone results for July to August 2013 as given below are unaudited.

• Asia:                   The deficit increased from R14 296 million in July 2013 to R17 366 million in August 2013. Exports decreased by R3 902 million to R25 326 million and imports decreased by R 832 million to R42 692 million.

• Europe:            The deficit decreased from R12 838 million in July 2013 to R10 949 million in August 2013. Exports decreased by R 701 million to R17 157 million and imports decreased by R2 590 million to R28 106 million.

• America:          The deficit increased from R 372 million in July 2013 to R1 229 million in August 2013. Exports increased by R 71 million to R8 415 million and imports increased by R 929 million to R9 645 million.

• Africa:               The surplus decreased from R7 834 million in July 2013 to R5 276 million in August 2013. Exports increased by R 129 million to R13 237 million and imports increased by R2 687 million to R7 961 million.

• Oceania:           The deficit increased from R 474 million in July 2013 to R 489 million in August 2013. Exports decreased by R 197 million to R 791 million and imports decreased by R 182 million to R1 280 million

For more detail, visit the SARS website, www.sars.gov.za; Customs and Excise; Trade Data.

SA Trade Release Table

For further media enquiries, please contact Adrian Lackay, SARS Spokesperson, 012 – 422 4206 or 083 388 2580