Summary

• The R2.47 billion deficit for November 2009 was due to a decrease in imports of 4.86% and an increase in exports of 4.01%.
• Exports for November 2009 of R45.86 billion and imports of R48.33 billion resulted in a deficit of R2.47 billion.        
• Imports decreased by R2.47billion (4.86%) to R48.33 billion and exports increased by R1.77 billion (4.01%) to R45.86 billion. 

Trade Highlights by Category

• The October to November change (down by 4.86%) in imports of goods reflected decreases mainly in:
  • Mineral products [down by R2.6 billion (-21%)];
  • Products of the chemicals or allied industry [down by R0.6 billion (-11%)] and
  • An increase of R1.0 billion in Vehicles, Aircraft and Vessels (23%)
• The October to November change (up by 4.01%) in exports of goods reflected increases mainly in:
  • Precious and semi-precious stones and metals [up by R2.1 billion (21%)];
  • Vehicles, aircraft and vessels [up by R1.6 billion (37%)]; and
  • A decrease of R1.3 billion in mineral products (-15%).

Trade Highlights by World Zone

The world zone results for November 2009 as given below are unaudited, and those for October 2009 are audited.

• Asia: The deficit decreased from R8.5bn in October 2009 to R6.1bn in November 2009.  Exports increased by R0.01bn to R12.6bn and imports decreased by R2.4bn to R18.7bn.
• Europe: The deficit decreased from R4.7bn in October 2009 to R4.2bn in November 2009. Exports increased by R0.5bn to R13.6bn and imports decreased by R0.01bn to R17.77bn. 
• America: The deficit decreased from R0.06bn in October 2009 to R0.05bn in November 2009.  Exports increased by R0.4bn to R5.6bn and imports increased by R0.9bn to R6.1bn.
• Africa: The surplus increased from R2.4bn in October 2009 to R3.4bn in November 2009.  Exports decreased by R0.1bn to R7.9bn and imports decreased by R1.1bn to R4.5bn.