Exporting to South Africa

South Africa Export Guide | Trade Finance Global

Exporting to South Africa

The top exports from South Africa in terms of value, are gold (around $20B), diamonds (around $9B), platinum (around $7B), coal (over $6B) and iron ore (over $5B). In terms of the country of export, the main countries are China (around $10B), United States ($8B), the UK (around $8B), India ($7B) and Hong Kong ($8B).

Geographically, South Africa sits on the borders of Lesotho, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Swaziland. South Africa is the world’s third largest exporter of coal and in terms of production, South Africa is one of the main producers of gold; also being the largest producer of manganese, chrome, vanadium, platinum and vermiculite. It also ranks second in terms of production with commodities such as palladium, rutile and vermiculite.  They also export fruits, corn, wool and sugar. The export value in South Africa averaged around 14000 ZAR Million from 1957 until 2015, reaching a height of around 94000 ZAR Million at the end of 2015 and a low of around 55 ZAR Million at the end of 1958.

South Africa Country Profile

Official Name (Local Language) The Republic of South Africa
Capital Pretoria
Population 54,300,704
Currency South African Rand
GDP $280.4 billion
Languages Afrikaans
Telephone Dial In 27

South Africa Imports Profile

Imports ($m USD)

83,031

Number of Import Products

4,452

Number of Import Partners

229

Top 5 import partners

Country

Trade

% Partner Share

China

15,224

18.34

Germany

9,555

11.51

United States

5,486

6.61

India

3,915

4.71

Saudi Arabia

3,842

4.63

Top 5 Import Products at HS 6 digit level

Export Product

Number

Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminou

7.7%

Petroleum oils, etc, (excl. crude); preparation

5.4%

Transmission apparatus, for radioteleph incorpo

4.8%

Other medicaments of mixed or unmixed products,

3.5%

Automobiles with reciprocating piston engine di

2.2%

Chart Showing GDP Growth Compared to rest of world

GDP Composition for South Africa

Agriculture

%

Product List

2.2%

Corn, wheat, sugarcane, fruits, vegetables; beef, poultry, mutton, wool, dairy products

Industry

%

Industry List

29.2%

Mining: platinum, gold, chromium; automobile assembly, metalworking, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilizer, foodstuffs, commercial ship repair

Services

%

Services List

68.7%

Transportation Travel Other business services Royalties and license fees Computer and information services Financial services Government services Cultural and recreational services Construction services

Importing from South Africa: What is trade finance?

The top exports from South Africa in terms of value, are gold (around $20B), diamonds (around $9B), platinum (around $7B), coal (over $6B) and iron ore (over $5B). In terms of the country of export, the main countries are China (around $10B), United States ($8B), the UK (around $8B), India ($7B) and Hong Kong ($8B).

Geographically, South Africa sits on the borders of Lesotho, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Swaziland. South Africa is the world’s third largest exporter of coal and in terms of production, South Africa is one of the main producers of gold; also being the largest producer of manganese, chrome, vanadium, platinum and vermiculite. It also ranks second in terms of production with commodities such as palladium, rutile and vermiculite.  They also export fruits, corn, wool and sugar. The export value in South Africa averaged around 14000 ZAR Million from 1957 until 2015, reaching a height of around 94000 ZAR Million at the end of 2015 and a low of around 55 ZAR Million at the end of 1958.

Information

South Africa-Map

Exporting from South Africa? Contact our local experts

South Africa-Flag

South Africa Economic Statistics

Government Website

https://www.gov.za/

Sovereign Ratings

https://countryeconomy.com/ratings/south-africa

Central Bank

South African Reserve Bank

Currency USD Exchange Rate

15.7

Unemployment Rate

26.8%

Population below poverty line

16.6%

Inflation Rate

6.5%

Prime Lending Rate

5.75%

GDP

$280.4 billion

GDP Pro Capita (PPP)

$13,500

Currency Name

South African Rand

Currency Code

ZAR

World Bank Classification

Upper Middle Income

Competitive Industrial Performance

47/138

Corruption Perceptions Index

71/180

Ease of Doing Business

82/190

Enabling Trade Index

55/136

Currency in South Africa

About the Author

Brian Canup is the Editorial & Research Assistant at Trade Finance Global (TFG).

Brian holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MA in International Political Economy from King’s College London.

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