2014 trade deficit R48bn at end June: SARS

"The cumulative deficit for 2014 is R48.27bn, compared to R35.5bn in 2013," it said in a statement.

The deficit for the month of June was R190 million, due to exports of R80.27bn and imports of R80.46bn.

Exports increased from May to June this year by R2.89bn (3.7 percent) and imports decreased over the same period by R4.36bn (5.1 percent).

Sars said the figures included trade date for the BLNS countries --Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and Swaziland.

Trade highlights by world region for the period May to June this year were:

-- Africa: The surplus increased from R13,483m in May, to R14,547m in June. Exports increased by R22m to R24,953m, and imports decreased by R1,043m to R10,406m;

-- America: The deficit decreased from R1,681m in May, to R1,513m in June. Exports increased by R368m to R7,411m, and imports increased by R201m to R8,924m.

-- Asia: The deficit decreased from R16,095m in May, to R10,722m in June. Exports increased by R1,177m to R24,813m, and imports decreased by R4,195m to R35,536m.

-- Europe: The deficit increased from R6,382m in May, to R7,423m in June. Exports increased by R4m to R17,041m and imports increased by R1,046m to R24,465m.

-- Oceania: The deficit decreased from R656m in May, to R237m in June. Exports increased by R263m to R838m, and imports decreased by R156m to R1,075m.

 

(File Photo: Gallo Images)