Pretoria, 26 February 2021 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for January 2021 recording a trade balance surplus of R11.83 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN). The year-to-date (01 January to 31 January 2021) trade surplus of R11.83 billion is an improvement from the R2.70 billion deficit for the comparable period in 2020. Exports increased by 8.7% year-on-year whilst imports decreased by 5.5% over the same period.

Including trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN)

The R11.83 billion trade surplus for January 2021 is attributable to exports of R109.76 billion and imports of R97.93 billion. Exports decreased by R17.26 billion (13.6%) between December 2020 and January 2021 and imports increased by R3.98 billion (4.2%) over the same period.

Click here for the full statement or visit the Trade Statistics webpage.