Gold, PGMs and citrus drive R21.7bn trade surplus
'On a year-on-year basis, export flows for May 2025 (R175.7bn) were 2.7% lower compared to R180.6bn recorded in May 2024. Import flows were lower by 2.5%, having decreased from R158.1bn in May 2024 to R1541-bn in the current period,' said Sars.
On a month-to-month basis, however, there was a positive shift.
'Exports increased by R10.5bn (6.3%) from R165.3bn to R175.7bn between April and May, while imports increased by R1.8bn (1.2%) from R152.3bn to R154.1bn,' said Sars.
South Africa's trade with the rest of the world excluding BELN countries reflected a R10bn surplus, with exports of R158.5bn and imports of R148.5bn. Trade with BELN countries alone accounted for R11.7bn of the May surplus.
Tourism is also playing a key role in boosting the economy. Speaking at Africa's Travel Indaba in May, tourism minister Patricia de Lille said: 'In the first quarter of 2025, South Africa welcomed close to 2.6-million tourists, reflecting a 5.7% growth compared to the same period in 2024.'
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