28 February 2022 – SARS today releases trade statistics for January 2022 recording a preliminary trade balance surplus of R3.55 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN). The year-to-date (01 January to 31 January 2022) preliminary trade balance surplus of R3.55 billion is a deterioration from the R12.98 billion trade balance surplus for the comparable period in 2021. Exports increased by 17.6% year-on-year whilst imports increased by 29.6% over the same period.
The R3.55 billion preliminary trade balance surplus for January 2022 is attributable to exports of R130.12 billion and imports of R126.57 billion. Exports decreased by R25.04 billion (16.1%) between December 2021 and January 2022 and imports increased by R0.43 billion (0.3%) over the same period.
