By Tasneem Bulbulia.
South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R22-billion in June, the South African Revenue Services (Sars) reports.
This surplus was attributable to exports of R170.7-billion and imports of R148.6-billion, inclusive of trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia.
The preliminary trade balance surplus of R80.2-billion for the six months to June 30 was lower than the R92-billion trade balance surplus for the comparable period in 2024.
On a year-on-year basis, export flows for June of R170.7-billion were 2.9% lower compared to the R175.8-billion recorded in June 2024.
Import flows were higher by 0.6%, having increased from R147.7-billion in June 2024 to R148.6-billion in the current period.
On a month-on-month basis between May and June, exports decreased by R3.3-billion, or -1.9%, from R174-billion to R170.7-billion, while imports decreased by R5.3-billion, or -3.5%, from R153.9-billion to R148.6-billion over the same period.
Export flows decreased in June, driven by gold, coal and motor vehicles (goods).
Import flows also decreased on the back of lower importation of petroleum oils (excluding crude), crude oil and telephone sets, including smartphones.
Owing to ongoing vouchers of correction, the preliminary trade balance surplus of R21.7-billion announced for May was revised downward by R1.6-billion, with the final number at R20-billion.