South Africa recorded a preliminary trade balance surplus of R15.6-billion in October. This surplus was attributable to exports of R192.2-billion and imports of R176.6-billion, including trade with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho and Namibia (BELN), the South African Revenue Service (Sars) says.

The year-to-date preliminary trade balance surplus of R142.7-billion was lower than the R148.1-billion trade balance surplus for the comparable period to end October 2024.

On a year-on-year basis, export flows for October, of R192.2-billion, were 7.4% higher compared with the R178.9-billion recorded in October 2024. Additionally, import flows were higher by 7.3%, having increased to R176.6-billion in October from R164.5-billion in October 2024.

On a month-on-month basis, exports increased by R5.2-billion, or 2.8%, to R192.2-billion from R187-billion between September and October. Imports increased by R11.8-billion, or 7.2%, to R176.6-billion in October 2025 from R164.8-billion in September.

Further, export flows increased in October, driven by gold, diamonds and unwrought aluminium, while import flows increased on the back of higher importation of crude oil, petroleum oils and original-equipment components, Sars says in its preliminary trade statistics for October.

Meanwhile, owing to ongoing vouchers of correction, the preliminary trade balance surplus of R21.8-billion announced for September was revised upwards by R500-million, with the final number revised to R22.3-billion.

Excluding trade data with BELN countries, South Africa’s trade with the rest of the world for October indicates a preliminary trade balance surplus of R3.5-billion.

The R3.5-billion preliminary trade balance surplus for October was as a result of exports of R172.5-billion and imports of R169-billion from countries excluding BELN countries.

Month-on-month, exports to countries excluding BELN countries increased by R3.2-billion, or 1.9%, between September and October. Imports increased by R11.1-billion, or 7%, over the same period.

The preliminary cumulative year-to-date trade balance for trade with countries excluding BELN countries was a surplus of R31.9-billion, which is lower than the R34.8-billion trade balance surplus for the period to end October 2024.

South Africa’s trade with the BELN countries for October shows a preliminary trade balance surplus of R12.1-billion.

The R12.1-billion preliminary trade balance surplus for October was as a result of exports of R19.7-billion and imports of R7.6-billion.

Exports to BELN countries increased by R1.9-billion, or 11% between September and October, and imports from them increased by R0.8-billion, or 11%, month-on-month.

The preliminary cumulative trade balance to end-October with BELN countries was a surplus of R110.8-billion, compared with a R113.3-billion surplus in 2024.