Total exports for the first semester of 2012 stood at R 38,438 million against imports of R 77,302 million. The resulting trade deficit worked out to R 38,864 million, 17.9% higher than the figure of R 32,958 million for the corresponding period of 2011.
2. Exports
Total export proceeds for the first semester of 2012 were valued at R 38,438 million, representing an increase of 6.2% over the corresponding semester of last year. This total includes R 6,218 million of Ships’ stores and bunkers (SSB).
During the first semester of 2012, 36.6% of exports consisted of articles of apparel and clothing accessories (R 11,807 million), 19.4% of “fish and fish preparations” (R 6,244 million) and 10.1% of sugar (R 3,240 million).
The main export market remained the European continent with a share of 59.6%, while on a country-wise basis, the United Kingdom was the main buyer, accounting for 19.8% of total exports. The other main markets were France (14.3%), USA (9.6%),South Africa (8.8%) and Spain (7.7%).
3. Imports
Total imports for the first six months of 2012 amounted to R 77,302 million, up by 11.8% over the first semester of 2011.
Around 23.4% of imports comprised of “Mineral fuels, lubricants and related materials” (R 18,144 million), 21.8% of “Machinery and transport equipment” (R 16,838 million) and 16.7% of “Manufactured goods classified chiefly by materials” (R 12,877 million).
The Asian countries supplied 56.5% of the imported products for the first six months of 2012 and another 24.4% came from European countries. The main sources of imports were : India (24.5%), China (15.0%), France (8.0%) and South Africa (6.3%).
4. Forecast 2012
Based on recent past trends and indicative information from various sources, total exports (including ship’s stores & bunkers) for the year 2012 are expected to be of the order of R 82,000 million against R 163,000 million for imports. The trade deficit would be around R 81,000 million.
August 2012
Table 1 - Summary of External Trade, 2010 - 2012
Table 2 - Imports and exports of the Freeport Zone, 2010 - 2012
Table 3 - Total exports1 of main commodities by section, 2010 - 2012
Table 3 (cont'd) - Total exports1 of main commodities by section, 2010 - 2012
Table 4 - Domestic exports of main commodities by section, 2010 - 2012
Table 4 (cont'd) - Domestic exports of main commodities by section, 2010 - 2012
Table 5 - Re-exports of main commodities by section, 2010 - 2012
Table 5 (cont'd) - Re-exports of main commodities by section, 2010 - 2012
Table 6 - Freeport re-exports of main commodities by section, 2010 - 2012
Table 7 - Total exports1 by country of destination, 2010 - 2012
Table 8 - Domestic exports by country of destination, 2010 - 2012
Table 9 - Re-exports by country of destination, 2010 - 2012
Table 10 - Total imports of main commodities by section, 2010 - 2012
Table 10 (cont'd) - Total imports of main commodities by section, 2010 - 2012
Table 10 (cont'd) - Total imports of main commodities by section, 2010 - 2012
Table 11 - Imports of selected commodities, 2010 - 2012
Table 12 - Freeport imports of main commodities by section, 2010 - 2012
Table 13 - Imports by country of origin, 2010 - 2012
Table 13 (cont'd) - Imports by country of origin, 2010 - 2012
Table 14 - Trade with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States, 2011 - 2012
Table 14 (cont'd) - Trade with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States, 2011 - 2012
