South Africa recorded a merchandise trade surplus of R19.8 billion in September as both exports and imports increased, according to preliminary trade statistics released by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
Exports rose by 5.1% month on month to R190.6 billion, while imports increased by 5.2% to R170.8 billion. The resulting surplus was higher than the revised R19 billion recorded in August. The figures include trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia.
Higher exports of platinum group metals, gold, and zinc ores and concentrates supported the monthly increase. On the import side, growth was driven by petroleum oils excluding crude, aeroplanes and automatic data-processing machines.
Compared with September 2025, export values increased by 2.2%, while imports grew by 3.6%. South Africa’s cumulative trade surplus for January to September reached R169 billion, up from R117.5 billion during the same period last year.
Regional trade performance
Trade with Asia recorded the largest deficit among the major regions. Imports from the region increased by 17.8% month on month to R95.6 billion, while exports rose by 5% to R57.7 billion. This widened South Africa’s trade deficit with Asia to R37.9 billion, compared with R26.2 billion in August.
Trade with Europe moved into surplus, with exports increasing by 9.9% to R46 billion and imports declining by 18% to R36.9 billion. The resulting surplus stood at R9 billion.
Exports to African markets increased by 3.6% to R49.5 billion, while imports rose by 4.5% to R20 billion, generating a regional surplus of R29.6 billion.
Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia contributed R11.1 billion to South Africa’s overall September surplus. Exports to the four countries increased by 5.9% to R17.6 billion, while imports rose by 3.2% to R6.5 billion.
Excluding these neighbouring countries, South Africa recorded a surplus of R8.7 billion, with exports totalling R173 billion and imports reaching R164.2 billion.
Trade with the Americas weakened, as exports declined by 11.6% to R15.8 billion, while imports increased by 2.3% to R16 billion.
Transport equipment imports increase
The commodity figures showed contrasting trends in transport equipment trade over the first nine months of the year. Exports in the category declined to R197.2 billion from R216.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2025, while imports increased to R157 billion from R134.8 billion.
The category includes vehicles, railway equipment, aircraft and ships.
Machinery and appliances accounted for R34.7 billion, or 20.3%, of September imports. Mineral products were the largest export category highlighted by SARS, contributing R46 billion, equivalent to 24.2% of total export value.
SARS also revised August’s previously reported trade surplus of R20.5 billion downwards by R1.5 billion following corrections to trade declarations.
The revenue service noted that the statistics measure the value of merchandise traded rather than the physical volume of cargo moving across South Africa’s borders.