30 November 2020 – Trade Statistics for October 2020
UNDER EMBARGO – 2pm Monday, 30 November 2020
Pretoria, 30 November 2020 – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) today releases trade statistics for October 2020 recording a trade surplus of R36.13 billion. These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN). The year-to-date (01 January to 31 October 2020) trade surplus of R203.23 billion is an improvement from the R3.27 billion surplus for the comparable period in 2019. Exports increased by 21.5% year-on-year whilst imports declined by 5.7% over the same period.
Including trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN).
The R36.13 billion trade surplus for October 2020 is attributable to exports of R149.16 billion and imports of R113.03 billion. Exports increased by R13.55 billion (10.0%) between September and October 2020 and imports increased by R10.78 billion (10.5%) over the same period.