* Note to all Media – The numbers indicated in RED EXCLUDE trade with BLNS countries, which was how monthly trade statistics were issued previously. The comparative figures in RED are included for the sake of transparency. The inclusion of BLNS country trade data was announced on 14 November 2013 and will be included in all future trade statistics.
Pretoria, 28 February 2014 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics that includes trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS) for January 2014 that recorded a trade deficit of R17.06 billion [trade deficit R24.58 billion].
Summary
The R17.06 billion deficit for January 2014 [trade deficit R24.58 billion] can be attributed to exports of R77.67 billion [R68.16 billion] and imports of R94.73 billion [R92.73 billion].
Exports increased [decreased] from December to January by R0.10 billion (0.1%) [R0.54 billion (0.8%)] and imports increased from December to January by R19.75 billion (26.3%) [R19.61 billion (26.8%)].
The cumulative deficit for 2014 is R17.06 billion [R24.58 billion] compared to R17.64 billion [R23.55 billion] in 2013.
Trade Highlights by Category
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The December to January change (up by 0.1%) [down by 0.8%] in exports of goods reflected decreases and increases in:
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Vehicles & Transport Equipment decreased by R1 462 million (20.0%) [R1 687 million (26.8%)];
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Machinery & Electronics decreased by R1 326 million (17.2%) [R1 416 million (21.5%)];
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Precious Metals & Stones increased by R1 849 million (14.7%) [R1 148 million (9.1%)];
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Mineral Products increased by R1 314 million (6.3%) [R1 353 million (7.1%)];
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Base Metals increased by R 1 147 million (12.2%) [R1 102 million (12.3%)];
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The December to January change (up by 26.3%) [up by 26.8%] in imports of goods reflected increases in:
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Machinery & Electronics increased by R5 220 million (27.9%) [R5 198 million (27.9%)];
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Mineral Products increased by R5 055 million (27.8%) [R5 036 million (27.8%)];
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Vehicle Components increased by R2 043 million (71.2%) [R2 043 million (71.2%)];
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Chemical Products increased by R1 941 million (29.5%) [R2 008 million (33.4%)];
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Plastics & Rubber increased by R1 145 million (44.9%) [R1 138 million (44.9%)];
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Trade Highlights by World Zone
The world zone results for December 2013 to January 2014 as given below.
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Asia: The deficit increased from R10 509 million in December 2013 to R20 264 million in January 2014. Exports decreased by R1 054 million to R 24 714 million and imports increased by R8 701 million to R44 978 million.
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Europe: The deficit increased from R3 419 million in December 2013 to R6 689 million in January 2014. Exports increased by R1 950 million to R20 203 million and imports increased by R5 220 million to R26 892 million.
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America: The deficit increased from R1 570 million in December 2013 to R2 197 million in January 2014. Exports decreased by R 252 million to R6 343 million and imports increased by R 376 million to R8 540 million.
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Africa: The surplus decreased from R14 791 million [R7 778 million] in December 2013 to R8 254 million [R 738 million] in January 2014. Exports decreased by R1 150 million [R1 787 million] to R21 260 million [R11 748 million] and imports increased by R5 387 million [R5 252 million] to R13 006 million [R11 010 million].
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Oceania: The deficit increased from R 490 million in December 2013 to R 639 million in January 2014. Exports decreased by R 153 million to R 574 million and imports decreased by R 4 million to R1 214 million.
Trade Release tables:
Trade Statistics with BLNS countries—
Trade statistics with the BLNS for January 2014 recorded a trade surplus of R7.52 billion.
Summary
The R7.52 billion surplus for January 2014 can be attributed to exports of R9.51 billion and imports of R2.00 billion.
Exports increased from December to January by R0.64 billion (7.2%) and imports increased from December to January by R0.13 billion (7.2%).
The cumulative surplus for 2014 is R7.52 billion compared to R5.91 billion in 2013.
Trade Highlights by Category
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The December to January change (up by 7.2%) in exports of goods reflected a decrease and increases in
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Prepared Foodstuff decreased by R 137 million (13.4%).
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Precious Metals & Stones increased by R 701 million (3367.7%).
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Vehicles & Transport Equipment increased by R 225 million (22.1%)
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The December to January change (up by 7.2%) in imports of goods reflected a decrease and an increase in:
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Prepared Foodstuff decreased by R 83 million (21.8%);
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Precious Metals & Stones increased by R 190 million (126.2%).
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