South Africa Posts Smallest Trade Surplus in 7 Months

South Africa's trade surplus shrank to ZAR 4 billion in August 2025 from a downwardly revised ZAR 19.6 billion in the prior month. This was the smallest trade surplus since a shortfall observed in January, as exports slipped by 6.8% over a month to ZAR 171.3 billion. Lower shipments of precious metals & stones (-19%); base metals (-22%); prepared foodstuff (-12%) and machinery & electronics (-12%) more than offset a 4% rise in exports of vehicles & transport equipment. Overseas sales declined to Oceania (-14.9%), Europe (-5.9%), the Americas (-3.6%), Africa (-3.4%) and Asia (-1.8%). Meanwhile, imports rose 1.9% to ZAR 167.4 billion, on higher purchases of precious metals & stones (+34%); vehicles & transport equipment (+17%); original equipment components (+10%) and machinery & electronics (+6%). Imports rose from Europe(+13%), Oceania (+9.9%) and the Americas (+1.3%) but fell from Africa (-5.7%) and Asia (-2%).