South Africa: SA Records R20.1 Billion Trade Surplus in July
[SAnews.gov.za] South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R20.1 billion in July 2026, driven by trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN), according to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
South Africa experienced a trade surplus of R20.1 billion in July 2026, according to the South African Revenue Service. The surplus was primarily driven by exports in the region, with countries like Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Namibia (belonging to the BELN group). The year-to-date trade balance surplus stood at R130.9 billion, surpassing the R100.6 billion recorded in the same period of 2025.
Exports for July 2026 grew by 5.8% compared to July 2025, reaching R194.0 billion, while imports increased by the same percentage, totaling R173.8 billion. On a month-to-month basis, exports rose by R1.5 billion (0.8%) from R192.5 billion in June to R194.0 billion in July, while imports decreased by R1.4 billion (0.8%). Growth in exports was attributed to the trade of motor vehicles, manganese ores, coal, and other commodities.
However, import volumes decreased due to lower imports of petroleum products, crude oil, and telephone devices. Despite initially announcing a R17.8 billion surplus for June 2026, SARS later revised the figure downward by R0.5 billion, resulting in a final surplus of R17.2 billion for the month. South Africa's trade with other countries outside BELN also showed a R9.1 billion surplus in July 2026, driven by a 0.4% increase in exports and a 1.1% decrease in imports compared to the previous month.
The cumulative trade balance for 2026 stood at a R61.1 billion surplus, compared to a R24.3 billion surplus for the same period in 2025.
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