South Africa Balance of Trade

Last Release

Nov 30, 2024

Actual

34,700

Units In

ZAR Million

14,630

Frequency

Monthly

Next Release

Jan 31, 2025

Time to Release

29 Days 11 Hours

Highest	Lowest	Average	Date Range	Source
53,829.82 Mar 2021	-36,052.2 Apr 2020	1,503.56 ZAR Million	1957-2024	South African Revenue Service

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.

Latest Updates

South Africa posted a trade surplus of ZAR 34.7 billion in November 2024, up from a revised ZAR 14.1 billion in the prior month. This was the largest trade surplus since March 2022, driven by an increase in exports alongside a steep decline in imports. Exports rose by 1.2% over a month to ZAR 180.9 billion, on higher shipments of vehicles & transport equipment (+22%), base metals (+9%) and mineral products (+9%). Conversely, imports slipped by 11.2% to a near two-year low of ZAR 146.2 billion, amid sharp decreases across all main categories. Purchases fell for vehicles & transport equipment (-21%); original equipment components (-26%); textiles (-22%); base metals (-14%) and mineral products (-12%).