South African Trade Statistics for April 2013
Pretoria, 31 May 2013 - The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for April 2013 that record a trade deficit of R15.02 billion.
Summary
The R15.02 billion deficit for April 2013 can be attributed to exports of R65.43 billion and imports of R80.45 billion.
Exports increased from March to April by R1.93 billion (3.0%) and imports increased from to March to April by R8.69 billion (12.1%).
The increase in the trade deficit was due to increases in imports of mineral products, plastics & rubber, base metals, machinery & electrical appliances and original equipment components.
The cumulative deficit for 2013 is R57.01 billion compared to R36.62 billion in 2012.
Trade Highlights by Category
The March to April change (up by 3.0%) in exports of goods reflected increases mainly in:
- Mineral products increased by R 624 million (4%);
- Base metals and articles thereof increased by R 771 million (10%);
The March to April change (up by 12.1%) in imports of goods reflected increases mainly in:
- Mineral products increased by R3 526 million (22%);
- Plastics and rubber and articles thereof increased by R 533 million (20%);
- Base metals and articles thereof increased by R 420 million (11%);
- Machinery and electrical appliances increased by R3 473 million (21%);
- Original equipment components increased by R 523 million (10%);
Trade Highlights by World Zone
The world zone results for March to April 2013 as given below are unaudited.
Asia: The deficit increased from R7.21 bn in March 2013 to R 13.46 bn in April 2013. Exports increased by R 2.49 bn to R 24.92 bn and imports increased by R8.75 bn to R38.38 bn.
Europe: The deficit increased from R 8.07 bn in March 2013 to R9.88 bn in April 2013. Exports decreased by R 1.17 bn to R 15.02 bn and imports increased by R 0.65 bn to R 24.90 bn.
America: The deficit decreased from R1.62 bn in March 2013 to R1.57 bn in April 2013. Exports decreased by R0.79 bn to R 6.30 bn and imports decreased by R 0.84 bn to R7.87 bn.
Africa: The surplus increased from R3.14 bn in March 2013 to R4.52 bn in April 2013. Exports increased by R1.16 bn to R12.06 bn and imports decreased by R0.22 bn to R7.54 bn.
Oceania: The deficit increased from R0.49 bn in March 2013 to R0.68 bn in April 2013. Exports decreased by R0.10 bn to R 0.76 bn and imports increased by R0.09 bn to R1.44 bn.
For more detail, visit the SARS website, www.sars.gov.za; Customs and Excise; Trade Data.
Statement issued by SARS, May 31 2013
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