South Africa's trade surplus widened to ZAR 17.75 billion in June 2026 from an upwardly revised ZAR 4.44 billion in the previous month, as exports increased while imports declined. Exports rose 4.3% to ZAR 193.6 billion, driven by higher shipments of vehicles and transport equipment (16%), chemical products (6%), prepared foodstuffs (6%), and precious metals and stones (2%). Meanwhile, imports fell 2.9% to ZAR 175.8 billion, reflecting lower purchases of mineral products (-15%), vehicles and transport equipment (-12%), and original equipment components (-6%). Despite the monthly improvement, the trade surplus was smaller than the ZAR 20.96 billion surplus recorded in the same month a year earlier. source: South African Revenue Service

South Africa recorded a trade surplus of 17750 ZAR Million in June of 2026. Balance of Trade in South Africa averaged 1827.20 ZAR Million from 1957 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 52741.21 ZAR Million in March of 2021 and a record low of -36126.73 ZAR Million in April of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - South Africa Balance of Trade - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. South Africa Balance of Trade - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on August of 2026.

South Africa recorded a trade surplus of 17750 ZAR Million in June of 2026. Balance of Trade in South Africa is expected to be 20000.00 ZAR Million by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the South Africa Balance of Trade is projected to trend around 25000.00 ZAR Million in 2027 and 15300.00 ZAR Million in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-06-30 12:00 PM
Balance of Trade
May ZAR-1.79B ZAR14.43B ZAR 19.0B
2026-07-31 12:00 PM
Balance of Trade
Jun ZAR17.75B ZAR4.44B ZAR 32B
2026-08-31 12:00 PM
Balance of Trade
Jul ZAR17.75B ZAR19.0B


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 17750.00 4440.00 ZAR Million Jun 2026
Current Account 190700.00 50200.00 ZAR Million Mar 2026
Current Account to GDP -0.50 -0.70 percent of GDP Dec 2025
Exports 193575.22 178831.09 ZAR Million Jun 2026
Exports by Category
Exports by Country
External Debt 195932.00 200307.00 USD Million Mar 2026
Foreign Direct Investment 20300.00 41300.00 ZAR Million Mar 2026
Gold Reserves 125.50 125.50 Tonnes Jun 2026
Imports 175823.71 180621.58 ZAR Million Jun 2026
Imports by Category
Imports by Country
Terms of Trade 122.50 117.20 points Mar 2026
Terrorism Index 0.00 0.00 Points Dec 2025
Tourist Arrivals 1201015.00 1085557.00 Jul 2026
Weapons Sales 115.00 96.00 SIPRI TIV Million Dec 2025


South Africa Balance of Trade
In 2021, South Africa recorded a trade surplus for the fifth consecutive year. The top exports of South Africa are mineral products; base metals and articles of base metal; vehicles and aircraft vessels and machinery (6.8 percent), shipped primarily to China, the United States and Germany. The top imports of South Africa are machinery, mineral products, chemicals and vehicles & transport equipment, sourced mainly from China, India and the United States.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
17750.00 4440.00 52741.21 -36126.73 1957 - 2026 ZAR Million Monthly

News Stream
South Africa Trade Surplus Widens in June
South Africa's trade surplus widened to ZAR 17.75 billion in June 2026 from an upwardly revised ZAR 4.44 billion in the previous month, as exports increased while imports declined. Exports rose 4.3% to ZAR 193.6 billion, driven by higher shipments of vehicles and transport equipment (16%), chemical products (6%), prepared foodstuffs (6%), and precious metals and stones (2%). Meanwhile, imports fell 2.9% to ZAR 175.8 billion, reflecting lower purchases of mineral products (-15%), vehicles and transport equipment (-12%), and original equipment components (-6%). Despite the monthly improvement, the trade surplus was smaller than the ZAR 20.96 billion surplus recorded in the same month a year earlier.
2026-07-31
South Africa Posts First Trade Gap in 16 Months
South Africa posted a trade deficit of ZAR 1.8 billion in May 2026, the first since January 2025, compared to a downwardly revised surplus of ZAR 14.4 billion in the prior month. Exports declined by 5.7% to ZAR 178.8 billion, mainly reflecting reduced shipments of precious metals & stones (-21%); vehicles & transport equipment (-7%) and mineral products (-5%). On the other hand, imports rose by 3.1% to an over 2-1/2-year high of ZAR 180.6 billion, on higher purchases of vehicles & transport equipment (+17%); original equipment components (+12%); mineral products (+7%) and chemical products (+6%).
2026-06-30
South Africa Trade Surplus Shrinks in April
South Africa's trade surplus narrowed to ZAR 15.2 billion in April 2026 from a downwardly revised ZAR 30.2 billion in the previous month, as a sharp rise in imports outpaced export growth. Imports soared 11.8% to ZAR 175 billion, largely due to a 76% jump in purchases of mineral products, alongside a 5% increase in machinery & electronics. Conversely, declines were seen for precious metals & stones (-21%); textiles (-17%) and original equipment components (-10%). Meanwhile, exports rose 1.8% to ZAR 191 billion, driven by a 30% surge in precious metals and stones, which offset weaker shipments of vegetable products (-15%), chemicals (-14%), mineral products (-5%) and transport equipment (-5%).
2026-05-29