Import Tracker - Q3 2021

South Africa continued to maintain a strong trade balance in the third quarter of 2021, with a surplus of R102 billion, down 11% from the third quarter of 2020. High mineral prices continue to be the main driver for the high surplus, although these prices are beginning to fall. In addition, exports to major trade partners such as the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom improved in the year to the third quarter of 2021, rising by 20%, 90% and 52% respectively. Exports reached the highest third quarter level in 2021 at R460 billion, from a previous high of R406 billion in the third quarter of 2020.