Sars releases preliminary trade statistics for August 2021
The South African Revenue Service (Sars) today (September 30) released trade statistics for August 2021 recording a preliminary trade balance surplus of R42.40b.
These statistics include trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN). The year-to-date (January 1 to August 31) preliminary trade balance surplus of R332.13b is an improvement from the R134.95b trade balance surplus for the comparable period in 2020. Exports increased by 21.1% year-on-year whilst imports increased by 27.9% over the same period.
Including trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN)
The R42.40b preliminary trade balance surplus for August 2021 is attributable to exports of R158.92b and imports of R116.52b. Exports increased by R14.06b (9.7%) between July and August 2021 and imports increased by R8.68b(8.0%) over the same period.
Exports for the year-to-date (01 January to 31 August 2021) increased by 41.2% to R1 196.34b from R847.33b over the same period during 2020. Imports for the year-to-date of R864.22b were 21.3% more than the R712.38b imports recorded during the same period in 2020. The preliminary cumulative trade balance surplus for 2021 is R332.13b.
On a year-on-year basis, the R42.40b preliminary trade balance surplus for August 2021 was an improvement from the R40.07b trade balance surplus recorded in August 2020. Exports of R158.92b were 21.1% more than the R131.21b exports recorded in August 2020. Imports of R116.53b were 27.9% more than the R91.14b imports recorded in August 2020.
July 2021 preliminary trade balance surplus was revised upwards by R0.05b due to the ongoing Vouchers of Correction (VOC). The revision was from the preliminary trade balance surplus of R36.96b to the revised trade balance surplus of R37.01b.
Trade highlights by category
The main month-on-month export movements:
The main month-on-month import movements:
Excluding trade data with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN)
The trade data excluding BELN for August 2021 recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R33.01b.
The R33.01b preliminary trade balance surplus for August 2021 was as a result of exports of R144.85b and imports of R111.84b. Exports increased by R11.64b (8.7%) between July and August 2021 and imports increased by R8.00b (7.7%) over the same period.
The preliminary cumulative trade balance surplus for 2021 was R265.26b compared to R80.02b trade balance surplus during 2020.
Trade highlights by category
The main month-on-month export movements:
The main month-on-month import movements:
Read original story on africanreporter.co.za
