Insights for South Africa

MoM insights: In March 2026, South Africa's trade values showed significant month-on-month changes across various dimensions. For imports, the top three countries with the highest trade values were India (11.89B ZAR, 3.85B ZAR increase, 47.97% change), Germany (11.64B ZAR, 3.61B ZAR increase, 45.04% change), and France (3.71B ZAR, 1.8B ZAR increase, 93.83% change). Conversely, the lowest values were from Nigeria (2.48B ZAR, -2.29B ZAR decrease, -47.99% change), Angola (6.5M ZAR, -1.08B ZAR decrease, -99.91% change), and Kuwait (750.67M ZAR, -1.07B ZAR decrease, -58.70% change). For exports, the highest trade values were with China (20.78B ZAR, 2.61B ZAR increase, 14.37% change), Japan (10.54B ZAR, 2.43B ZAR increase, 29.93% change), and Belgium (6.18B ZAR, 2.13B ZAR increase, 52.73% change). The lowest values were from Special Categories (11.57B ZAR, -2.57B ZAR decrease, -18.19% change), Panama (87.5M ZAR, -1.66B ZAR decrease, -94.91% change), and the United Arab Emirates (2.41B ZAR, -1.24B ZAR decrease, -34.02% change). In terms of geographical regions, the top regions for imports were Durban (77.28B ZAR, 11.84B ZAR increase, 18.10% change), Cape Town (14.58B ZAR, 3.53B ZAR increase, 32.01% change), and Port Elizabeth (12.12B ZAR, 2.78B ZAR increase, 29.81% change). The lowest were Richards Bay (2.55B ZAR, -376.1M ZAR decrease, -12.84% change), Mosselbay (0 ZAR, -311.45M ZAR decrease, -100% change), and Komatipoort (541.9M ZAR, -63.27M ZAR decrease, -10.46% change). For exports, the top regions were Saldanha Bay (11.65B ZAR, 3.42B ZAR increase, 41.60% change), Port Elizabeth (12.14B ZAR, 3.31B ZAR increase, 37.41% change), and Richards Bay (17.37B ZAR, 3.21B ZAR increase, 22.69% change). The lowest were Sa Reserwebank (11.38B ZAR, -2.66B ZAR decrease, -18.98% change), Pretoria (7.39B ZAR, -397.5M ZAR decrease, -5.10% change), and Pongola (137.85M ZAR, -151.62M ZAR decrease, -52.43% change). In terms of product categories, the highest imports were in Refined Petroleum (20.64B ZAR, 6.11B ZAR increase, 42.03% change), Commodities not elsewhere specified (13.63B ZAR, 3.92B ZAR increase, 40.32% change), and Cars (8.31B ZAR, 3.26B ZAR increase, 64.63% change). The lowest were Crude Petroleum (3.41B ZAR, -3.35B ZAR decrease, -49.57% change), Planes, Helicopters, and/or Spacecraft (403.23M ZAR, -1.32B ZAR decrease, -76.61% change), and Sulphur (1.92M ZAR, -481.07M ZAR decrease, -99.84% change). For exports, the highest were Cars (14.23B ZAR, 3.82B ZAR increase, 36.65% change), Platinum (26.12B ZAR, 3.02B ZAR increase, 13.07% change), and Electricity (4.67B ZAR, 2.96B ZAR increase, 173.27% change). The lowest were Gold (11.38B ZAR, -2.66B ZAR decrease, -18.98% change), Grapes (2.47B ZAR, -2.57B ZAR decrease, -50.98% change), and Hot-Rolled Iron (147.53M ZAR, -1.21B ZAR decrease, -89.14% change).

YoY insights: In March 2026, South Africa's year-on-year trade values exhibited notable changes across various dimensions. For imports, the top three countries with the highest trade values were China (34.36B ZAR, 6.65B ZAR increase, 23.99% change), Oman (5.77B ZAR, 2.01B ZAR increase, 53.29% change), and Germany (11.64B ZAR, 1.91B ZAR increase, 19.60% change). The lowest values were from Kuwait (750.67M ZAR, -2.52B ZAR decrease, -77.05% change), the United States (8.34B ZAR, -2.29B ZAR decrease, -21.52% change), and Bahrain (1.37B ZAR, -1.7B ZAR decrease, -55.33% change). For exports, the highest trade values were with the United States (13.74B ZAR, 4.13B ZAR increase, 43.03% change), China (20.78B ZAR, 3.32B ZAR increase, 19.01% change), and Hong Kong (4.79B ZAR, 3.04B ZAR increase, 173.64% change). The lowest values were from Special Categories (11.57B ZAR, -2.97B ZAR decrease, -20.41% change), Mozambique (6.51B ZAR, -2.74B ZAR decrease, -29.61% change), and the United Arab Emirates (2.41B ZAR, -1.86B ZAR decrease, -43.51% change). In terms of geographical regions, the top regions for imports were Durban (77.28B ZAR, 6.05B ZAR increase, 8.49% change), Pretoria (4.84B ZAR, 1.28B ZAR increase, 36.03% change), and Port Elizabeth (12.12B ZAR, 1.24B ZAR increase, 11.39% change). The lowest were Mosselbay (0 ZAR, -1.16B ZAR decrease, -100% change), Cape Town (14.58B ZAR, -1.07B ZAR decrease, -6.86% change), and Richards Bay (2.55B ZAR, -830.55M ZAR decrease, -24.55% change). For exports, the top regions were O.R. Tambo Int Airport (34.73B ZAR, 14.62B ZAR increase, 72.68% change), Johannesburg (8B ZAR, 3.97B ZAR increase, 98.42% change), and Groblers Bridge (2.51B ZAR, 1.78B ZAR increase, 243.35% change). The lowest were Sa Reserwebank (11.38B ZAR, -2.98B ZAR decrease, -20.74% change), Cape Town (12.04B ZAR, -1.53B ZAR decrease, -11.24% change), and Pretoria (7.39B ZAR, -1.02B ZAR decrease, -12.17% change). In terms of product categories, the highest imports were in Commodities not elsewhere specified (13.63B ZAR, 2.05B ZAR increase, 17.69% change), Cars (8.31B ZAR, 1.39B ZAR increase, 20.04% change), and Gold (2.61B ZAR, 1.14B ZAR increase, 77.54% change). The lowest were Crude Petroleum (3.41B ZAR, -5.5B ZAR decrease, -61.71% change), Aluminium Oxide (625.72M ZAR, -1.35B ZAR decrease, -68.37% change), and Corn (2.51M ZAR, -468M ZAR decrease, -99.99% change). For exports, the highest were Platinum (26.12B ZAR, 14.71B ZAR increase, 128.94% change), Chromium Ore (9.29B ZAR, 3.41B ZAR increase, 57.89% change), and Electricity (4.67B ZAR, 3.26B ZAR increase, 229.61% change). The lowest were Delivery Trucks (5.69B ZAR, -3.08B ZAR decrease, -35.14% change), Gold (11.38B ZAR, -2.98B ZAR decrease, -20.74% change), and Grapes (2.47B ZAR, -1.33B ZAR decrease, -34.95% change).