CAPE TOWN: The unbalanced imports and exports of South Africa have caused R5.7 billion trade deficit in November, the SA Revenue Service (Sars) said here the other day.
“The R5.7bn deficit for November 2014 is due to exports of R83.95bn and imports of R89.66bn,” Sars said in a statement.
“Exports decreased from October to November by R4.74bn (5.3 percent) and imports decreased from October to November by R20.67bn (18.7 percent).”
The trade statistics include country trade data for Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Swaziland.
The cumulative deficit for 2014 was R101.13bn compared to R73.22bn in 2013.
Precious metals and stones exports increased by R991 million (7.3 percent).
Month-on-month, mineral products exports decreased R1.93bn (9.8 percent), vehicles and transport equipment R1.06bn (9.1 percent), and machinery and electronics R1.04bn (10.7 percent).
Prepared foodstuffs exports decreased by R622m (13.8 percent).
Mineral products imports decreased by R9.38bn (32.9 percent), equipment components R2.17bn (28.7 percent), chemical products R1.75bn (16.4 percent), vehicles and transport equipment R1.74bn (18.4 percent), and machinery and electronics R1.29bn (5.4 percent).
South Africa recorded a R7.03bn trade surplus with Africa, having exported goods worth a total of R15.56bn and imported goods worth R8.52bn.
Trade with the Americas registered an R1.7bn deficit, while trade with Asia showed a R16.65bn deficit.
Trade with Europe saw a R9.89bn deficit, while trade with Oceania registered a R115m deficit.
