SARS Media Release - Trade Statistics for April 2014

*Note to all Media - The numbers indicated in SQUARE BRACKETS 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, 30 May 2014 - The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics that includes trade data with Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS) for April 2014 that recorded a trade deficit of R13.03 billion [trade deficit R20.53 billion].

Summary

The R13.03 billion deficit for April 2014 [trade deficit R20.53 billion] can be attributed to exports of R77.42 billion [R67.72 billion] and imports of R90.45 billion [R88.25 billion].

Exports decreased [increased] from March to April by R2.06 billion (2.6%) [R0.01 billion (0.02%)] and imports decreased from March to April by R0.91 billion (1.0%) [R1.01 billion (1.1%)]. The cumulative deficit for 2014 is R40.96 billion [R73.70 billion] compared to R30.66 billion [R55.92 billion] in 2013.

Trade Highlights by Category

The March to April change (down by 2.6%) [up by 0.02%] in exports of goods mainly reflected an increase and decreases in:

o Mineral Products increased by R1 029 million (5.7%) [R1 191 million (7.5%)];

o Vehicles & Transports Equipment decreased by R 954 million (11.2%) [R 710 million (10.2%)];

o Base Metals decreased by R 560 million (5.0%) [R 638 million (6.1%)];

o Chemical Products decreased by R 514 million (9.9%) [R406 million (9.3%)].

The March to April change (down by 1.0%) [down by 1.1%] in imports of goods mainly reflected decreases and increases in:

o Mineral Products decreased by R3 665 million (13.9%) [R3 616 million (13.7%)];

o Vegetable Products decreased by R558 million (29.5%) [R 566 million (30.3%)];

o Chemical Products increased by R1 498 million (20.1%) [R1 224 million (17.3%)];

o Machinery & Electronics increased by R 500 million (2.5%) [R 476 million (2.4%)];

o Plastics & Rubber increased by R 417 million (13.1%) [R 419 million (13.3%)].

Trade Highlights by World Zone

The world zone results for March 2014 to April 2014 as given below.

Africa: The surplus decreased [increased] from R13 018 million [R3 353 million] in March 2014 to R11 125 million [R3 626 million] in April 2014. Exports decreased by R2 706 million [R 638 million]to R22 717 million [R13 019 million] and imports decreased by R 813 million [R 911 million] to R11 592 million [R9 394 million].

America: The deficit decreased from R2 344 million in March 2014 to R 597 million in April 2014. Exports increased by R 767 million to R7 755 million and imports decreased by R 980 million to R8 353 million.

Asia: The deficit increased from R17 430 million in March 2014 to R18 516 million in April 2014. Exports increased by R 694 million to R24 215 million and imports increased by R1 780 million to R42 731 million.

Europe: The deficit increased from R9 914 million in March 2014 to R10 211 million in April 2014. Exports decreased by R1 011 million to R16 315 million and imports decreased by R 714 million to R26 526 million.

Oceania: The deficit decreased from R 473 million in March 2014 to R 374 million in April 2014. Exports increased by R 7 million to R 818 million and imports decreased by R 91 million to R1 193 million.

Trade Statistics with BLNS countries-

Trade statistics with the BLNS for April 2014 recorded a trade surplus of R7.50 billion.

Summary

The R7.50 billion surplus for April 2014 can be attributed to exports of R9.70 billion and imports of R2.20 billion.

Exports decreased from March to April by R2.07 billion (17.6%) and imports increased from March to April by R0.10 billion (4.7%).

The cumulative surplus for 2014 is R32.75 billion compared to R25.26 billion in 2013.

Trade Highlights by Category

The March to April change (down by 17.6%) in exports of goods reflected decreases in:

◦ Precious Metals & Stones decreased by R1 529 million (98.1%);

◦ Vehicles & Transport Equipment decreased by R 244 million (16.0%);

◦ Mineral Products decreased by R 163 million (8.0%).

The March to April change (up by 4.7%) in imports of goods reflected a decrease and an increase in:

◦ Precious Metals & Stones decreased by R 325 million (79.0%);

◦ Chemical Products increased by R 274 million (75.2%).

Statement issued by Adrian Lackay, SARS Spokesperson, May 30 2014

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